OCTOBER GARDENING

     As the leaves change into their brilliant fall colors and you awaken to a distinct chill in the air, you realize that winter s just around the corner.  It’s time to put the garden tools away for the year, settle back, relax and wait for spring to arrive…WRONG!  You still have many tasks to accomplish, even after the first frost. 

       Fall is a great time to plant and October is one of the best months to look in nurseries for new shrubs, trees, and many other plants. Now is also a good time to assess your plantings for fall color. If you would like to add something with a little extra color or texture, you can find plants now that can add to the seasonal value and place them for best effect.  Sumac, Japanese maples, and barberry are

just a few plants that can add color to your garden.What could your landscape use now?  Look at areas of the garden that   Nurseries and garden centers have good supplies of plants this month, and large price discounts.

need screening, could use a shade tree, or just need the boost of an intriguing new shrub.

 Be sure to water anything planted or transplanted this month, unless rains are heavy.  Even spring-blossoming bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips and crocus, must be planted in damp soil and watered well to get their roots started.  If the soil is dry, dig the planting hole and fill with water.  Allow it to drain completely before adding bulbs to the holes.  Sprinkle bulb fertilizer and work it into the bottom of the hole where the soil is damp.  Place the bulbs.  Then fill in the soil ½ way up the hole and water again, allowing it to drain. Finish filling the area and give it one final watering.  This ensures good damp soil conditions for bulb rooting.

      Here are a few gardening tasks and projects that you can do this month to help keep your garden looking it’s best for the rest of this season, and prepare for the long cold winter and up coming spring.

TOM’S TIMELY TIPS

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

•           Remove leaves from lawn to reduce lawn problems. 

•           If rain is lacking, continue to thoroughly water trees, shrubs, planting beds and

            lawn areas, especially evergreens.

•           Dig and store tender summer bulbs like caladium and elephant ear.  Cover tubers

            with dry peat moss and store in a cool, dry place.  Place a  deep mulch over more

            hardy summer bulbs such as dahlia and gladioli.

•           Winterize and maintain your lawn and garden equipment once you are through

            using them.

Tom McNutt is a professor emeritus at The Ohio State University. and retired NBC4-TV resident green thumb