Beautiful blooms, rich foliage, and dramatic seed heads abound. Dozens of bees are cruising around blooming Sedums, Japanese Anemones are showing off their beauty, and Hydrangeas are blooming even in shaded parts of the garden. Ornamental grasses are more attractive than in summer, Clematis might bloom for a second time and some Roses are still providing spectacular colors well into Fall. In a few weeks it will all be gone, so take some time to enjoy the warm October afternoons outdoors in your glorious fall garden!
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Bring Indoor Plants In
The end of October (or early November) is then filled with fall garden chores - from cutting back dying perennials, to planting bulbs and preparing the indoor plants for their return back into the house. Potted plants need to be re-potted especially the tropicals in outdoor containers. Add new potting mix and increase the pot by one size to keep them happy all winter. This will be the last feeding until March. Make sure to check for any critters and pests before bringing anything inside, and consider applying insecticidal soap to the soil after re-potting (it leaches down into the new pot). You can also hang sticky pads on them to catch tiny flies.
Leaves
Remove leaves from your lawn, or otherwise the grass underneath can rot. But do it NOT with leaf vacuums or leaf blowers. Experts advise against using leaf vacuums or leafblowers. Leafblowers are a disaster for the environment. They destroy the upper layer of the earth and with it many organisms that try to live there. Apart from the noise, devices with combustion engines emit harmful exhaust gases such as carbon, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. Also, small animals are literally chopped up when using suction devices.
Lawns
White grubs are a common turf and lawn pest, and beneficial nematodes can be a very effective (and safe!) control. However, it is important to treat at the right time of year, based on the white grubs’ life cycle, to ensure good control. Treating them in early fall is ideal, as that is when the smaller, young grubs are most susceptible to nematodes. Heteromask is a preferred product against white grubs, but Scanmask is also effective. Focus treatment on sunny areas of your lawn/turf or on any areas that show signs of grub damage. Heteromask comes in a spray formulation, and you can use the Nema-Jet, a hose-end sprayer or a watering can (for smaller areas) to apply
Lawns are hungry as well. Early October is the time for your second application of fertilizer with a “winterizer” type on the label, one with an NPK (nitrogen/phosphorous/potassium) of around 28-0-14.
You should mow your lawn for the last time this year by the end of November at the latest - after that there's no point, as you may even harm it if it has to survive the winter after being shorn too short. It's best to set your lawn mower higher so that your lawn can catch enough sunlight even in the cold season and doesn't give uninvited guests such as moss a chance to grow in.
Rake the leaves from the paths into the beds on the left and right - but not higher than 3 inches. Mark where you have plants to avoid trampling on them in early spring. The layer of leaves provides frost protection for the plants in winter and also attracts blackbirds, for example, which pick pests out of the beds. Leaves also help plant growth in the long term. The leaves gradually decompose and become valuable fertilizer and soil. Nature has the very best recycling system. It's unbeatable!
You can also cover flower and vegetable beds with fresh compost: It can mature over the winter and provides the plants with an ideal breeding ground when they develop new shoots in the spring.
Hedges & Shrubs
In gardens and parks, densely growing shrubs and hedges create visual accents. For property owners, especially those who live directly on a street, hedges serve primarily as privacy screens. But hedges are not an attractive substitute for a fence, they serve as a habitat for many animals. For this reason, there are a few things to keep in mind when trimming hedges:
Hedges should only be trimmed between October and the end of February. Between March and September, some native bird species use the densely growing hedge plants as a shelter to first build a nest undisturbed by humans and predators and later raise their young ones in it. However, as soon as the first strong frost sets in, it is important to stop pruning your trees and shrubs, as the cuts will no longer close.
Usually, hedges are cut with hedge shears. The fastest and most efficient way is to use the electric version. A little more practical, but also a few dollars more expensive, are models that are powered by a battery. Hedges should be cut conically, a little narrower towards the top. The reason is quite simple: The lower branches get much less light with a straight cut. In the worst case, they become bare or stunted. That's why the base of any hedge should be about 20 inches wider than the top. Donate an additional layer of mulch to the soil under the hedge. This favors the nutrient balance and pleases numerous microorganisms.
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No Need to Cut Roses in Fall
Older varieties of roses lay the flower buds already in the previous year and then unfold all their beauty only once - in early summer. The problem is that the new shoots do not produce new flowers in the same year. This means that they will not bear a single flower in summer if they are pruned as radically as roses that bloom more often. Tip: Thin out such roses only slightly in spring so that the crown does not become too dense.
Prune Roses in Spring:
Be patient and wait to prune roses until no more heavy (night) frosts are expected. So, about after the forsythia bush flowers have faded. The 'eyes', i.e. the places where a rose can form side shoots, play an important role when pruning roses. If you cut the shoot too close over an eye or side shoot, they could dry out. What would be left behind - instead of a fragrant flower - would be an unsightly stub. Therefore, place the scissors about five millimeters above the uppermost eye and cut the shoot at a slight downward angle. This prevents water from collecting, which would provide a perfect breeding ground for pathogens.
For shrub roses, cut back to no more than half the shoot length. Otherwise, long and unstable shoots will develop. The procedure is different again for climbing roses. Here, the previous year's shoots remain uncut and are only slightly thinned out.
It’s also time to plant lots of bulbs for spectacular spring blooming. Pay attention to the planting depth as listed on the packages. Dividing perennials is a great way to make your beds fuller. Lift plants carefully from the hole and shake off excess soil. Remove any dead stems and foliage. Separate the root system in half down from the middle, using two garden spades or forks or a sharp knife. Replant in a new hole with fresh soil and water thoroughly. If there is no rain during the next days, water these 'new' plants at least three times a week.
Keep pulling up the summer veggies as they ripen, and make room for fall crops, such as turnips, beets, onions, spinach, or Brussels sprouts. Composting summer plants will improve your soil next spring.
Read more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/bgen/bulbs-for-shade-gardens.htm
https://biologicco.wpengine.com/blog/faq-how-to-kill-white-grubs-with-nematodes/
https://www.cbc.ca/life/home/how-to-prepare-your-garden-for-winter-1.6623540
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/25/1131114849/leaves-fall-autumn-compost-mulch-grass-lawn-nutrients
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