October is an excellent time to prepare your garden for the cooler months ahead. Here are some essential “to do” for your vegetable, herb, and flower gardens: Vegetable Gardens: plant cool-season crops: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, carrots, radishes, and lettuce. Continue to harvest fall crops: tomatoes, peppers, okra, and squash. Remove spent summer crops to prevent disease and pests.
Add organic matter: incorporate compost, well-rotted manure, or peat moss into the soil to: improve soil structure and drainage; increase nutrient availability; support beneficial microorganisms; enhance water retention; plant garlic and shallots for spring harvest.
Herb Garden: plant cool-season herbs: cilantro, dill, parsley, and chamomile prune back warm-season herbs: cut back stems to about onethird to one-half of their height; remove leggy or woody growth; shape plants to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering; examples: basil, mint, lemongrass, and oregano.
Divide and replant perennial herbs (every 3-4 years): Renew plant vigor, increase yields, and prevent root bound choose healthy sections with roots and leaves dig carefully around the plant, separating roots with a fork or your fingers; replant divided sections immediately, watering well; examples: rosemary, thyme, sage, and tarragon.
Harvest herbs regularly to encourage growth to: prevent flowering; encourage bushy growth; increase yields; promote root development.
A few tips for favorites: basil – pinch off flower buds; harvest individual leaves or stems; mint – cut back stems to just above nodes; harvest leaves and tips; cilantro – harvest individual leaves or stems before flowering; parsley – cut off stems at base; harvest individual leaves; rosemary – cut off tips; harvest individual sprigs; thyme – pinch off flower buds, harvest individual sprigs.
Flower Garden: plant pansies, violas, and snapdragons for winter color; plant bulbs: choose a location with good drainage and sunlight; plant at the correct depth (usually 2-3 times the bulb’s height); space bulbs according to package instructions; water well after planting. Examples: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus. Divide and replant perennials like daylilies and lantana. Deadhead spent blooms to promote new flowers. You knew we were going to say it – mulch, mulch, mulch. Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
General Gardening Tasks: Water wisely: Reduce watering as temperatures cool. Fertilize: Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) to vegetable and flower gardens. Monitor for pests and diseases: Watch for aphids, whiteflies, and fungal infections. Clean up debris: Remove weeds, dead plants, and debris to prevent overwintering pests. Prepare garden beds for spring: till soil, add amendments, and plan for next year’s garden.
Additional Tips: We never really know when the first freeze will come. Be prepared to protect sensitive plants. Consider planting cover crops like winter rye or clover to improve soil health. Take advantage of the cooler weather to catch up on gardening tasks.
A 10-10-10 fertilizer is a balanced, water-soluble blend containing equal parts of three vital nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen (10%) promotes leaf growth, green color and vegetative development, while phosphorus (10%) encourages root growth, flower and fruit development and overall plant maturity. Potassium (10%) supports overall plant health, resistance to disease and water balance.
The benefits of applying a balanced fertilizer are numerous. It promotes healthy growth by providing necessary nutrients for optimal development. This, in turn, increases yields by supporting fruiting and flowering in vegetables and flowers. Balanced fertilizers also improve plant vigor, enhancing resistance to disease, pests and environmental stress. Additionally, they encourage root development, supporting healthy root growth essential for water and nutrient uptake. Finally, balanced fertilizers replenish soil nutrients, reducing deficiencies and imbalances.
