Garden Calendar: October

Plant

• Spring flowering bulbs should be planted this month, with the exception of tulips and hyacinths which should be placed in the refrigerator for 6 weeks before being planted in late December or early January.
• Pot up Basil, Chives, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, and Sweet Marjoram for that sunny kitchen window.Wisteria and Trumpet Vine can be planted this month.
• Annuals to plant are Pansies, Violas, Pinks, Flowering Cabbage and Kale, English Daisy, Wildflower planting, Cornflowers, Larkspur, and Queen's Anne Lace.
• Perennials to plant include: Asters, Salvia, Hollyhock, Daylilies, Babies Breath, Iris, Shasta Daisy, Peonies, and Phlox.
• Many evergreens may be planted this month.

Fertilize

• Test soil in garden to monitor balance of minerals.
• Foliar feed all plantings and lawns.

Prune

• Remove damaged and dead wood from trees.
• Pick blossom-like fruit of Golden Rain Trees and let dry for winter arrangements.
• Prune back annuals like Blue Salvia and Dianthus to the ground and mulch, they may go through the winter and bloom again.

Miscellaneous

• Dig up Caladiums now with foliage intact, allow to try, remove dried foliage and store in peat moss in a cool dark place for replanting next year.
• Force bulbs for indoor show. Place bulb on gravel and water enough to cover the roots, keep in dark place until root system is established and sprout reaches 3 inches, bring gradually into the light and refill container with water to original level. Enjoy the blooms of Paper-white, Narcissus, Lily of the valley, Jonquil, or Hyacinth in this way.
• Make sure the birds in your garden have food, shelter, and water.
• Place leaves in compost bin.

In Bloom

• Mums, Marigolds, Periwinkle, Salvia, Sasanquas, Golden Rain Tree, Roses, Ageratum, Aster, Camellia, Celosia, Colchicum, Dahlia, Petunia, Salvia, Torenia, and Zinnia.