update for 2021
Given our warm temperatures , it ’s hard to think that today it ’s the offset of October . tomato plant are still mature on the vine ( has n’t 2021 been a great year for tomato and peppers ) , aster , hydrangea , and all the annuals continue to blossom . The farseeing - range prognosis for the Twin Citiescalls for warm but more well-timed tempertures over the next few weeks . It will be double-dyed weather for slowly doing those October garden chores .
Clean up plant life , gradually . We’re not members of the squealing clean garden club and many perennials can be left standing through the winter to provide protection for pollinators , food for thought for razz and a place for C to settle . But clean house up some parts of the garden reduces disease pressure and makes the spring time of year prosperous . A simple , pollinator - friendly cleaning program require removing spent yearly , removing vegetables that are done for the twelvemonth , removing obviously diseased plants , cleaning up pots and make out back a few perennials — dampish , hokey hostas are the worst .
Whether you buy them or grow them, apples are plentiful in October. Making applesauce is a fun October garden chore.
Plant bulbs . This next hebdomad or so will be the double-dyed sentence toplant bulbs for outflow . With medulla , more is better than less , so even if you have bulb consider add more . found them in crowing mathematical group for the most impact . If rabbits are a trouble in your area , works daffodils rather than tasty tulips .
stash away the harvest!Winter squash and pumpkins can becured outsidefor a duad of weeks after harvest before being put in in a cool , dry place . you could evenripen some squash indoors , if they are not in full ripe at harvesting time . What else is ripening in your garden ? If you pulled some dark-green tomato plant , look at try our recipe forfried light-green tomatoes . Or , if you ’ve harvested or bought some apples , debate frame up someapple chutneyorapplesauceto savor over the winter .
crop herbs and freeze them . Some herbs , such as Petroselinum crispum and schnittlaugh , will hang out in the garden a long clip , but harvest and freeze down them vouch they keep their peak flavor . you may make them intopesto - like concoctionsand frost in handbag or freeze themchopped upfor adding to soups and stews all winter .
Get started on raking or mowing your leaves in October.
Nourish vegetable bed . you could certainly wait until leaping to add compost to all your garden beds , including veggie seam . But , if you have rougher compost ( that is , not completely end up with some green or dried bits in it ) you may add up some in spill and let it finish in the bottom . Shredded leaves also make a great plus . By springtime they are most mixed with the soil and the soil is light and flossy and ready to plant .
Water and gage . Don’t stop water ( we ’re still technically in a drouth ) or weed , even though the garden seems to be turn in for the year . New treesand shrub especially need watering decently up to the time the ground freezes . They will arrive through the winter much well with equal moisture in the fall . Weeding now will coiffure you up for an easy spring and fewer weeds next summertime .
glance over or mow leaves . As we get into tardy October , it ’s metre to get gather up the leaves . Depending on your tree cover , you may be able to just pout the leaves into your yard , which is a nice tripping plant food for the lawn and saves you some labor . BUT — if you have a heavy tree cover , you will need to bag at least some leave . See thishelpful web log postfrom the University of Minnesota with photos that show when to mow and when to mulch .
Mow low-spirited . During most of the time of year , a mower height of about 3 inches is optimum for a exuberant lawn that shades out grass . But at the destruction of the season , you will need to lower your mower to 2 to 2 - 1/2 inches in height to prevent snow mold . If you fertilize in downslope , it should be done by Oct. 15 .
Enjoy the season!The long - range weather prognosis trace that we will have a beautiful October . relish your garden ! graze up a leaf pile and allow the kids jump in it . jaw an apple orchard . Go leaf - peeping .
