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Editor’s Choice: Recommended gardening books for Central Texas |
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[January] [February] [March] [April] [May] [June] [July] [August] [September] [October] [November] [December] |
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The Travis County Master Gardener Association has a new home! Click to visit our new site. http://www.tcmastergardener.org. Please update your bookmarks. Thanks. |
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Things to Plant in OCTOBER Flower Plants: Ajuga, Alyssum, Bluebonnet, Butterfly Weed, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile), Clarkia (Godetia), Cornflower, Dianthus, Daisy (English and Painted), Euryops, Forget-Me-Not (Myositis), Gazania, Indian Blanket, Liatris, Nasturtium, Pansy, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox (divaricata and paniculata), Obedient Plant (Physostegia), German Primrose (Primula obconica), Salvia farinacea, Sedum, Snapdragon, Stock. FLOWER SEEDS: Alyssum, African Daisy (Arctotis), Bluebonnet, Calendula, Columbine, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Daisy, Delphinium, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Nasturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Pinks, California Poppy, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Viola, Wildflowers. BULBS: Allium, Amarcrinum, Calla, Autumn Crocus (Colchicum ), Cooperia, Daylily, Dietes, Hardy Cyclamen, Spider Lily (Hymerocallis), Liriope, Louisiana Iris, Ipheion, Lily, Lycoris, Oxalis, Monkey Grass, Rain Lily, Scilla, Watsonia. Purchase Tulip, Crocus, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs for chilling. VEGETABLES: HERBS: Borage, Burnet, Caraway, Catnip, Celeriac, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Lemon Balm, Mexican Mint Marigold, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Winter Savory, Sorrel, Thyme, Yarrow. FRUIT: Strawberries. Things to Do in October Fertilize: Fertilize existing beds of iris with well-rotted manure or balanced fertilizer. Reduce houseplant fertilizer by 1/2 for winter. WATER: Water areas as needed. TRANSPLANT: Divide and transplant crowded perennials. Dig and store caladium bulbs. Dust with fungicide. PREPARE SOIL: Mulch gingers and other tropicals that overwinter outdoors to retain warmth and moisture and to control weeds. Falling leaves make autumn a good time to start a compost pile. Shred (or mow) leaves to speed decomposition. Turn compost pile periodically and keep it moist. LAWN CARE: Fertilize with 3-1-2 ratio fertilizer. In newly-plugged lawns, sow 8 lbs. of ryegrass per 1000 sq. ft. to help hold soil. The seed grass will make a bright green carpet until spring, when hot weather will kill rye. Not recommended for established lawns. Mow every 5-7 days and leave the clippings on the lawn. DISEASES/PESTS TO LOOK FOR: Check for cabbage loopers in the garden; spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Make second treatment for brown patch on lawns with a history of the disease. PRUNE: Prune shrubs as needed, but save major pruning for the winter. Remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees. Make cuttings of tender plants before frost. Other Things to Do in October Now is the best time to plant new trees and shrubs. The planting hole should be only as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times wider. No need to amend the soil or add fertilizer at planting time. Return the original soil, firm and water well. Mulch 3-4 inches deep around plant. Fertilize established trees and shrubs to maintain growth and health during the coming winter weather stresses. Water well. Replenish mulch. Move tropicals inside before temperatures fall below 500 F. Be prepared for an early freeze.Pre-chill tulip, crocus, late-flowering daffodil and hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator. |
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Web site designed/maintained by Dolores Svoboda Leeper, DoloArt Designs. Copyright 2002. All rights reserved. |