October is typically the driest month in Tennessee so be sure to keep your garden watered. Here are some tips from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture for fall garden maintenance:
Shrubs and trees
- October is a good time to plant trees and shrubs, since dormant plants will be under less stress. Newly installed deciduous plants require almost no watering during the winter months, but don’t forget that a thorough initial watering is paramount. Monitor evergreens, such as junipers, hollies and aborvitae, for watering needs if rain is sparse. Winter wind desiccation can hurt an evergreen tree that lacks sufficient moisture.
- Pick off any bagworms from your plants to help eliminate the eggs that will hatch next year. Dispose of them in the garbage, not the compost, or they may hatch and survive.
Perennials, annuals, and bulbs
- One last effort at weeding will help to improve the appearance of your garden throughout the winter. Any weed which you can eliminate from the garden this fall will possibly prevent thousands of weed seeds from sprouting in the garden next spring!
- Garden centers and nurseries are well stocked with spring flowering bulbs and late October and early November is the ideal time to get them planted.
- Collect the seeds of any annuals you would like to grow again next year. Allow them to dry completely before storing. A paper bag is great for containing the seed and allowing it to dry
- Now is an ideal time to plant winter annuals in your garden for a great show of color from now until spring. Great plants to include in your winter garden are pansies, violas, snapdragons, and Dianthus.. Also, consider inter-planting your winter annuals with bulbs of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths.
- After frost, you can cut back your deciduous herbaceous perennials to lessen the chance of disease or insects overwintering in your beds. Hardy lantanas and salvias are perennials that are borderline hardy and may benefit from retaining their stems through the winter. Mulch any tender plants, such as canns and elephant ears.
- Remember that seasonal mums should be treated as annuals. Don’t be tempted to plant them! Even if they establish, they rarely live up to your expectations the following year..
- Warm-season ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus and fountain grass (Pennisetum) resent being dug, divided and replanted in the fall. It is best to wait until early spring. As a general rule, avoid planting even container-grown warm season grasses in the fall. There isn’t sufficient time for the roots to establish, and the plants may be lost over the winter.
Fruits and veggies
- Pumpkins, winter squashes, and gourds to be stored should be harvested before the first frost. Pumpkins that have begun showing color will continue to ripen after harvest. Use great care not to nick the rind during harvest since this will lead to more rapid deterioration. Wash them in a mild bleach solution before displaying or storing to help prevent rot.
- Apple trees can be planted now. Select disease resistant ones such as Redfree, Prima, Priscilla, Jonafree, Nova Easygro, and Liberty.
- Keep harvesting the cool season vegetables including radishes, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, chard, spinach, broccoli, and the other cole crops. Some such as parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and kale actually have enhanced flavor after a frost.
- Plant cloves of garlic now for a crop of garlic bulbs next summer. Select very large cloves to produce the largest bulbs. Plant them 6″ deep and at least 6″ apart. Mulch them after the ground freezes for winter protection.
- Some root crops, such as carrots, onions, and parsnips can be left in the ground and dug up as needed. Apply enough mulch to keep the ground from freezing, and the crop will be kept fresh until it is needed.
- After you have finished harvesting your summer vegetables, plant a cover crop of clovers, cow peas, soybeans, or vetches for the purpose of plowing under next spring. These nitrogen producing plants will provide good organic matter and food for your garden crops next year, as well as helping to control weeds over the winter.
Odds and ends
- Place amaryllis in storage for a 2 month rest before reflowering. Select a cool (40 _ 50 degree) spot and stop all watering. Plan to begin watering again 9 _ 12 weeks before you want it to flower.
- Don’t forget to bring in your tropical plants and houseplants before frost. Many plants don’t fare well when temperatures drop into the 40s.
- Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus should be placed in an east or north window, watered and fertilized one last time. Start letting them dry out more between waterings. This plus cooler night temperatures will stimulate blossom production.
- Compost has been compared to black gold, and will made quite a difference in your soil. Fall is the ideal time to start a compost pile, since there is such a ready supply of materials–from falling leaves, to the gleanings from our vegetable and flower gardens.
- The birds will soon begin their winter migrations so give them a helping hand by providing them with some food for their long journey. You might persuade a few of them to stick around for the winter, if they know they have a reliable food source!