October in the Garden
Welcome to October! For many of us, this month marks the beginning of Spooky Season—a time to let loose, to decorate our homes and yards, and to experience the haunted side of autumn. For others, it’s about carving pumpkins and cute spooky decor. Wherever you land, Floral Acres has all sorts of seasonal decor at great discounts. So be sure to stop in and check out the retail floor!
I’ve always viewed October as a time when the lines blur between autumn and winter, especially here in Saskatchewan. Nighttime frosts begin to settle in, trees give up their leaves in favour of survival, and our perennial gardens enter a period of dormancy.
It’s a time of preparation, cleaning up and shutting down, and transitioning between autumn and the winter to come. This month we will go over some of the most important tasks at hand to prepare the garden for a long, cold sleep.
Clean-up — remove all dead annual foliage, rake up fallen leaves, and other plant debris. This will prevent fungal or bacterial diseases from overwintering in your garden and protect your plants come spring time. Take care not to add diseased plant matter to your compost heap. Trim back dead perennial foliage, too, but you can leave ornamental grasses and other upright seedheads. Not only will these provide frosty visual appeal during the winter, they can also shelter small critters and insects through the cold months.
Remove any fallen leaves and other debris out of your gutters and eaves to prevent issues with snow and ice build-up later in the season.
Mulching — applying compost and mulch around your perennials, trees, and shrubs can help to protect the roots from extreme temperatures, and help the soil from wind and erosion. Use organic mulch materials like wood chips or hay, at a generally recommended depth of 2-3 inches. Keep a short distance away from plant stalks to allow for air to still circulate. Aside from winter insulation, mulch will also provide moisture retention and weed control. Wrap young shrubs and trees with burlap to protect their trunks from seasonal damage and rodents.
Fall planting — while the air and soil are beginning to cool, but before the ground freezes, is the right time to plant many spring- and summer-blooming bulbs. Plant bulbs two to three times their depth, with roughly the same space between them. Many bulbs require the cold of winter to allow them to germinate in spring. After planting, give them a good watering so the roots can take hold before the freeze. For a list of some of the best and hardiest bulbs for Saskatchewan, check out September’s Top Five blog post!
Lawn care — this is the best time to fertilize your lawn (September to early October). Apply a lawn-specific fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium while the grass is still green and before the ground freezes. This will help strengthen the roots and prepare it for the cold season. The final mow of the season should leave the grass about 2 inches high to discourage snow mold. Blow out your sprinklers and cease watering the lawn to allow the grass to prepare for dormancy. Once your lawn stops growing, do not apply fertilizer as it can no longer absorb the nutrients, and you run the risk of the fertilizer running off into the water supply in spring.
This is also a good time to put down grass seed on any thin patches. Aerating the lawn in fall can allow air, water, and nutrients to reach far down to the roots.
Tool care — winterizing your tools and equipment now can prevent the overwintering of fungal and bacterial disease that could contaminate your plants come springtime. Drain and store your garden hoses, empty rain barrels, and disinfect garden tools. To clean tools, first ensure all caked-on mud and debris are removed. Wash with warm, soapy water to clean any stuck matter. Remove rust with steel wool, and soak overnight in a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and warm water. If you don’t have a chemical disinfectant (or prefer not to use one), consider isopropyl alcohol or household bleach. Isopropyl alcohol (70-100%) is not only effective against pathogens, but it requires no rinsing and won’t harm metal tools. If using bleach, dilute at a ratio of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Bleach can be effective but is also highly corrosive, so ensure to wipe it off straight away. Lastly, sharpen tools if needed, and apply a thin layer of oil to metal and wooden surfaces to keep the tool protected.
Pollinators — a number of other considerations can be taken into account as we prepare our gardens for the winter. Many pollinators seek shelter from the elements through the fall and winter—and in the spring they have limited options as well.
Allowing a layer of fallen leaves to remain in garden beds can provide protection for queen bees, moth cocoons, and butterfly chrysalises. Leaves can also provide shelter and insulation for eggs, caterpillars, and overwintering pupae, so avoid shredding or mowing. Many perennial flower stalks and hollow stems provide homes and a place to lay eggs for mason and leafcutter bees, as well as other ground-dwelling insects. By leaving small piles of sticks and twigs in an out of the way corner of your yard, you’ll provide a safe place for beetles, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that help your garden thrive.
Many of us prefer a clean, manicured look for the yard, but by leaving a few inconspicuous and low-traffic corners for the pollinators, we’re allowing them a safe and comfortable place to spend the cold months. And in return, these small critters will help our gardens out in the spring.
The cold and snow will be on us before we know it. For now, stay busy, and stay warm.
Until next time!