October is a busy time in the garden. There’s so much to harvest, sow, prepare, protect, and craft. Check out some ideas for things to do before winter weather arrives.
If you’d like a printable checklist, check out our fall garden essential checklist here.
October garden tasks
Here in southwestern Ontario, Canada, the date of the first frost varies quite a bit. It’s possible to get heavy snow in October and not see snow again until December or January. Or maybe those perfect, beautiful, cool (but frosty) fall days just keep rolling into November.
It’s hard to get everything right because of the unpredictability, but I simply prioritize based on what would be most costly to abandon or disappointing to ignore, and work from there.
This October checklist is basically the same as September’s, but perhaps with a little more urgency to get things done before the ground freezes.
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growing up
Planting, sowing and preparation
outdoors
The best fall garden advice is simple. It’s a good time to sow and transplant many plants, but it’s not the time to “clean up.” All the living things that live in our gardens use dead and rotting material, such as fallen leaves, old plant stems, and rotting tree branches and stumps, as energy for their future. It’s good to know that the less you have to do, the more effective it is. Win, win.
trees
pond
Perform pond pump maintenance. Remove fallen leaves and debris. Keep a backup pump on hand in case your current pump fails during winter freezes. This is very important if you keep fish.
patio
indoor
wild animals
harvest
protect over winter
Bring summer-blooming houseplants and tender perennials, such as geraniums (pelargoniums) and fig trees, to life indoors. Dig out and store tender bulbs such as dahlias*, caladiums, cannas, gladioli, elephant ears, and begonias. *After a slight frost. Clean, repair, and sharpen garden tools. Clean and repair fragile garden art, flower pots, outdoor furniture, and decorations. Install a winter garden cover. Add windbreaks to vulnerable shrubs. Winterize your pond or body of water. Clean the garden shed. Please close the outdoor water faucet. Drain and store your garden hose. dry season? Water trees and young plants. Surround your patio with winter-resistant plastic sheeting.
make
autumn creative project
halloween
idea
dreams and plans
Order a seed catalog or browse online to create your winter and spring wishlist. Fresh seeds are generally viable for two years, so you can order them now. Order bare root plants, such as asparagus or sugar cane berries (shipped to you at time of planting). Order seeds for indoor sowing. Get your seed starting mix and organic container mix while supplies last in stores.
observe and enjoy
You may not know it by the name phenology, but you certainly know what it is. Phenology is the science of observing the first events of each year in nature. When the flower buds open. When a peeper takes a peek for the first time. When the bees come out. When the transition arrives. When the light bulb pops. The list is endless.
Seasonal changes prompt natural responses in the plant and animal kingdoms. It is interesting to note these events and compare them from year to year. The more you look, the more you see.
autumn seasonal phenomenon
In addition to shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures, here are some examples you might notice.
The leaves on the tree change color. Bird feeders can become very active as birds prepare for winter. Migratory birds and butterflies may pass through your garden.
In the north, it may mean the hummingbirds headed south. Flowering plants produce seeds. Squirrels and chipmunks increase their food stash. First frost.
resource
Epress of Dirt
fall garden checklist
The file includes a handy checklist categorized by priority and best timing.
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This is an overview of important tasks to safely put your garden to bed for winter.
~Melissa Empress of Dirt ♛
