Home Gardening

October Projects
Garden Tips Newsletter - October 8, 2001

Fall has arrived and while most plants are starting to slow down in preparation for winter, there are still many projects for the home gardener.

October is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, and vines. For more information on transplanting trees and shrubs see MSU publication 965 Transplanting Trees & Shrubs in the Landscape.

October is also the time to plant hardy annuals and perennials such as pansy, English daisy, Foxglove, Black-Eyed Susans, Purple Cone-Flower and Larkspur. The garden centers are filled with Chrysanthemums, be sure to get yours now and add some fall color to your landscape or put them in pots to decorate your front door. As the temperatures continue to drop start digging up your tender tubers and roots such as Cannas, Dahlias, Caladiums, and Elephant Ears. The best time to dig up these tubers and roots is after the first frost burns the foliage of these plants. Be sure to store your tubers and roots in a dry/dark space until next spring. For more information on tubers, roots, and other bulbs see MSU publication P1736 Planting and Care of Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes, and Roots.

These archived newsletters were written by Dr. Lelia Scott Kelly. Kelly is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.