October Gardening Tips 2006
by Thea Fiskin, UC Master Gardener

October is my favorite month to work in the garden. It's the time for dividing perennials and taking cuttings of plants to create more plants for the garden or gifts for friends and neighbors. We can plant winter color, perennials, shrubs, trees, especially California natives and any other plants adapted to our dry summers. Planting in the fall really gives the plants a head start for next spring.

PLANTING SUGGESTIONS:
Annual color - Sow seed of alyssum, baby blue eyes, bachelor's buttons, California poppies, larkspur, Shirley poppies, sweet peas, and spring wildflower mixes. Seeds sown this month will be up and blooming early next year. Sow seeds by broadcasting them over a weed-free area then cover with a very thin layer of soil (potting soil works great). Water frequently until winter rains start. If you are too impatient to wait for seeds to pop up, then plant six packs or 4" pots of calendulas, delphiniums, foxgloves, hollyhocks, Iceland poppies, ornamental kale, pansies, primroses, snapdragons and stock for instant color.

Bulbs - Purchase spring flowering bulbs now, but wait until next month to plant. We need to let the soil cool so bulbs don't sprout prematurely. Tulips and hyacinths must be pre-cooled six to eight weeks before planting. I precool mine in the vegetable crisper of our garage refrigerator, and I remove any fruit or veggies (they emit ethylene which hurts bulb bloom). Alliums (ornamental onions) and daffodils don't need precooling and have the added benefit of being rodent resistant. Instead of the same old standbys, try some exotic bulbs. Master Gardener Debbie Cosio recommends trying Cape Bulbs from South Africa; her favorites are Babiana, Freesia, Ixia, Sparaxis and Watsonia.

Vegetables - Time to start a winter veggie garden; sow seeds of beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, radishes, snap peas and spinach. Set out transplants of artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and chard.

GARDEN CHORES:
Reduce sprinkler timers as the weather cools. It's definitely time to water one day a week less or fewer minutes per day or both.

Repair damaged spots in fescue lawns. First, dig in organic matter and firm down the soil, then scatter seed and cover lightly. Sprinkle regularly to keep surface moist for maximum germination, then return to your regular water schedule.

Fertilize established fescue lawns at the rate of one-pound nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn. It doesn't matter which brand of fertilizer you use, but follow application directions and amounts listed on the bag.

Fertilize azaleas, camellias, and gardenias with acid fertilizer. If you want fewer but larger camellia flowers, then thin bushes now leaving only one bud at each node. Encourage roses to bloom once more before winter by snipping spent flowers above a five-leaflet leaf, fertilize and water.

Dig and divide crowded perennials. Replant or share healthy sections with fellow gardeners. As gladiola foliage dies, cut it off, then dig up corms. Throw old corm away but save the new one, store in a cool, dry place until next spring. Protect frost tender bulbs such as dahlias with a thick layer of mulch.

Fertilize fruit trees so they can store energy for growth next spring; the exception is citrus, since any new growth will be subject to frost damage. Even though it is cooling off be sure to water young trees deeply to encourage the formation of a good root system.

Tidy up the garden cutting back perennials that are done for the season, but don't be to hasty to cutback ornamental grasses, their seed heads add interest to the garden all through winter, cut them back in early spring.

Apply a preemergence herbicide to prevent annual bluegrass and other winter weed seeds from germinating. The same "crabgrass preventer" products used in spring also work on winter weeds; however don't use these herbicides where you plan to sow grass or flower seeds in the next few months.

CRITTER CONTROL:
With the cooler weather snails and slugs are starting to slither around again. Handpick and then bait. Young children can help; my grandson loves to go on "snail safari". He can fill a small container with snails in no time at all. Manage caterpillars on fall veggies by using "Bt". Control aphids and whiteflies with strong blasts from a hose or use insecticidal soap. Let the good bugs and the first cold snap do the rest.

As you can see October is no time to "hang up your gloves and pruners" but one of the best months to be in your garden and really get it in order.