OCTOBER
Perennials & Annuals:
  • Continue to lift and divide perennials.
  • Weed perennial beds.
  • Broadcast lime to look like a "light frost" and cultivate into soil
  • Plant spring blooming bulbs and next year's lily bulbs and keep well watered until ground freezes.
  • Lift Dahlias after frost. Cut back foliage as it browns and pack in a box of vermiculite or barely moist peat moss, then store in a cool, dry place (40 F) for winter.
  • Lift annuals and turn empty beds with organic material such as manure or compost.
  • Broadcast favorite seeds that will readily re-seed themselves for next season.
Roses:
  • Continue to pull petals off to allow rosehips to develop and slow down the bush's growth.
  • Water every 10 to 14 days if weather is dry (2" weekly).
  • Stop insecticide applications, but continue fungicide controls if necessary.
  • Assess the success or failure of your varieties over the growing season to ensure similar or better results next year.
  • Prepare resources for winter protection, i.e. twine, soil, salt marsh hay/straw, burlap.
Lawn:
  • Rake leaves and dead grass to reduce chance of snow mold.
  • Continue to mow until growth stops.
  • Lawn should be no longer than 2" to reduce winter matting and disease.

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