It's now time to start with your October gardening chores

October Gardening Tasks for 2022

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FALL IS IN THE AIR WITH SHORTER DAYLIGHT HOURS AND COOLER TEMPERATURES

Thank goodness for Tropical Storm Ian bringing us some much-needed rainfall. Up until Ian, September was very dry for us. As a matter of fact, as of September 28th, we have only had less than an inch of rain for the entire month of September, and we are now over 6 inches below average rainfall for the year. This combination is not good for newly planted plants.

FALL IS FOR PLANTING!!

HERE ARE SOME GARDENING TIPS TO BE DONE IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER:

  1. Remember that our AVERAGE first frost of the season is around the 20th of October. This means that we have had a frost before this date and we have had some years that our first frost was after this date. So, watch the weather and protect those sensitive plants.
  2. WATERING: Fall is a great planting season for new shrubs and trees, BUT we need more rain. We are in a deficit for rainfall in this region for the year. So, don’t let any newly planted plants get dry going into any cold spell.
  3. If you haven’t done so already, tropical houseplants need to be moved indoors now.
  4. October is a great month to transform your container gardens and prepare for the fall and winter.
  5. October is the second month of the S.O.D. lawn program ( the “O” is for October ). Now is the time to put down your second feeding of lawn fertilizer.
  6. As our tree leaves begin to fall, try to keep lawns free of thick, smothering layers of leaves this time of year.
  7. October is a great month to plant spring-blooming bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, muscari, and others. Buy your tulip bulbs now while the selection is good but hold off on planting tulip bulbs until mid-November when our soil temperature is cooler.
  8. Our pine trees are shedding needles. These pine needles make excellent mulch to use around our shrubs and trees. What a nice gift from Mother Nature.
  9. Now is the time to take down your hummingbird feeders. We need to encourage our beloved hummingbirds to begin their migration south for the winter.
  10. October is a great month to plant your “winter hardy” pansies.

PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!! Enjoy October—it is a beautiful month to be living in Virginia

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