
Your Guide To October Gardening
FSI Landscape Supply weighs in on October gardening and landscaping. (Source: Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford, October lawn & garden to-do list, https://todayshomeowner.com/october-lawn-garden-to-do-list/).
October is a month of colors. With crystal skies, warm colors, and autumn leaves, this is the ideal time to start prepping your garden for winter. FSI Landscape Supply believes “the temperate weather of the month helps prepare your garden for the colder months.”
In this piece, we will be talking about the fundamentals of October gardening so that you can start doing your chores in the most hassle-free manner.
Preparing your winter lawn
Proper fertilization is the first step to preparing your lawn. FSI Landscape Supply agrees that “fertilization not only helps in the healthy maintenance of the lawn but also facilitates the growth of new grass.” Planting grass in October gives it enough time to grow and create a green grass bed before winter.
Keep landscaping supplies at your access
You can’t start preparing your garden without landscaping supplies. So, get these ready well in advance. Start with a thorough clean-up of your garden. Remove dried leaves, branches, and shrubs to make the area clean. It’s great if you mulch after a clean-up as well. Experts at FSI Landscape Supply strongly recommend tackling foundation repairs like drainage and thorough cleaning in October. FSI Landscape Supply shares, “These are essential to ensure a supported root system and strong landscape frame come spring.”
Look after your vegetable garden
As already mentioned, mulching is essential for vegetable gardens. It helps plants to root quickly—plant shallots, onions, and garlic during this time. If you have enough space, consider planting multicolored corn, pumpkins, and gourds. Also, ensure that you cover the top areas of plants with a thick, porous fabric to prevent frost. You can build a wooden frame and place the cloth on the supporting structure. Also, consider pruning your perennial plants to facilitate new growth in the winter.
Don’t forget the flowers
Hyacinth, tulips, and daffodils are October blooms. The best idea is to mix up the larger and smaller bulbs and plant them for a visual treat. Planting roses is a great idea this time because the plants get enough time for rooting and will go into full bloom during the colder months. Prune your woody perennials before winter arrives. Clients can also deck up the indoors with pruned cuttings. FSI Landscape Supply recommends that “clay and ceramic pots are best placed indoors during the cold season. The pots can crack due to the contraction and expansion of moisture. High winds can also knock ceramic and clay pots over, which will cause them to break, and it might damage the surface they are placed on. Plastic planters can be used but be mindful as weather elements can interfere. If not weighed down correctly, you might end up chasing planters down the block”.
What to avoid during October gardening
Preparing your garden is not always about “what you need to do”. In fact, you must keep in mind the chores you need to avoid during this time. Stop watering the plants that have shed their leaves. October marks the onset of colder months, and the temperature has already been reduced.
So, plants don’t need watering frequently. But, if you have planted evergreens this October, make sure you water them enough that they can store water during the entire winter months. Don’t trim hedges because they also work as a shield from freezing to the new blooms.
FSI Landscape Supply shares, “Although October may seem early; it is best to begin preparing the landscape for winter. In Ontario, we are known for experiencing cold temperatures, and there is no time like the present to get prepared. October is also a great time to celebrate autumn colours and create new fall landscapes as well. Be sure to have your landscaping essentials in stock and get excited about the fall season”.