Things to Do in October

MANDEVILLA and BOUGAINVILLEA have become popular summer outdoor plants. As tropicals, they will not withstand our winter freezes. Before frost, prune to a manageable size and bring the plant inside, giving it as much light and humidity as possible. Water as needed. Another school of thought suggests cutting the plant back to 5-6", allowing it to go dormant, with minimal or no watering, stored where temperatures will not go below 40 degrees F. In spring, re-pot, and begin watering and fertilizing.

NEWLY SEEDED FESCUE LAWNS have very small, shallow roots. Keep them watered and don't let falling leaves smother them. Use a leaf blower on low power or rake VERY gently lest you uproot the tender young plants.

PUTTING THE GARDEN TO BED FOR THE WINTER - Prevent many of next year's insect and disease problems by thoroughly cleaning plant debris out of the garden. Pull out all annuals that have completed their life cycle. Get your soil tested. Add organic matter and turn over soil to decrease insect and disease populations.

ROOT CUTTINGS - Most flowering shrubs can be propagated by means of hardwood cuttings. Make cuttings of mature wood 6-8" long. Dip basal ends in a rooting hormone. Set them in well amended garden soil, leaving about 2" above ground. Or, place cuttings in large nursery pots. Keep cuttings moist till rooted.

FLOWERING QUINCE (Japanese quince) bears fruits which can be made into preserves.

BEARDED IRIS - For success, have good drainage, good soil, sunshine, clean cultivation (weed and grass free) and frequent dividing for larger and finer blooms.

STORING BULBS - Five common flower garden plants - Dahlia, Canna, Caladium, Gladiolus, and Tuberous Begonia - may not overwinter. To save the plants, lift roots, tubers, or corms about the time of our first killing frost. They may be dug just after foliage dries. Dig deep enough so that part of the plant will not be snapped off when lifted out of the soil. Leave soil around Dahlia tubers, Canna, and Caladium roots.

Store in a garage or other building until soil dries and falls away from plant parts. Shake soil off roots and tubers, and cut away dried stem. Discard immediately any plant parts that show soft spots or disease.

Place tubers and roots in old sawdust or peatmoss - in a flat box or plastic bag with holes for ventilation. Store in a dry, cool place such as a basement. Do not store on back porch or in garage. These plants cannot withstand freezing. Also, store away from danger of being eaten by mice, squirrels, etc.

HOUSEPLANTS - Bring houseplants indoors when temperatures dip below 50 degrees F. Give them a good bath in soapy water or spray with insecticidal soap. Move plants into partial shade for a week to condition them to lower light levels indoors.

PLANTING CONTAINER-GROWN PLANTS - The planting hole should be twice as wide as the rootball and the same depth as the rootball. If the soil has poor structure, add a soil conditioner like ground pine bark mulch. Set plant at same level it was growing in container or higher. If roots of plant are pot bound, make 3 or 4 slits with a knife down side of root ball. Fill in around roots with soil/bark mixture. Water heavily to remove any air pockets around the roots. Mulch with pine straw or other mulching material to hold moisture in the soil. In poorly drained soil, rototill the bed and plant high or install French drains. See "Planting High".

BRING IN GERANIUMS BEFORE FROST. Overwinter them in pots or bare root in paper bags.

Last revised April 7, 1998

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