Gardening Chores & Tips for October
Fall Planting
Begin planting trees and shrubs this month. Planting in autumn allows them time to grow roots and begin transition into the garden. Remember to water newly planted trees and shrubs. Trees should be braced during the winter to protect against high winds.
Strawberries
October in north Louisiana is a good time for planting strawberries. This allows plants time to establish roots before the weather turns cold. Select a well-drained area where water does not stand after a heavy rain. Set plants at crown level with soil surface. Plants set at an incorrect depth may lack vigor or die. Recommended varieties are Chandler and Camarosa.
Lawns
For a green lawn during the upcoming winter months overseed with winter ryegrass now. Also apply a high nitrogen fertilizer. This is particularly feasible if your lawn is small, easy to maintain and plays a significant role in the design of your garden.
Fruit Trees
Rake up fallen fruit and foliage around your peach, pear and apple trees. The debris will harbor fungal and bacterial infections through the winter and create problems next season. Figs, persimmons, loquat and pears are low maintenance fruit trees. Consider most others as high maintenance, as they require a regular schedule of pruning, spraying, etc.
Vegetables
Clean out unplanted areas and turn under any winter weeds that have sprouted and any debris that is not infested or diseased. Then sow a cover crop such as crimson clover or mulch with ground leaves or straw to keep down weeds, minimize erosion and nourish the soil. If you are wondering what you can plant now, get a copy of the Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide from your local AgCenter Office.
Birds
Clean out birdhouses and fill your feeders to attract migrating birds as well as winter residents. Keep feeders filled and you will bring life to your garden all winter long.
Christmas Cactus and Poinsettia
Cool nights are the secret to setting buds on your Christmas cactus. They also appreciate at least 14 hours of darkness. Do not leave them outside on nights when a frost is predicted. Poinsettias, on the other hand, need 40 days of 14 hour nights to develop bract color.
Begin planting trees and shrubs this month. Planting in autumn allows them time to grow roots and begin transition into the garden. Remember to water newly planted trees and shrubs. Trees should be braced during the winter to protect against high winds.
Strawberries
October in north Louisiana is a good time for planting strawberries. This allows plants time to establish roots before the weather turns cold. Select a well-drained area where water does not stand after a heavy rain. Set plants at crown level with soil surface. Plants set at an incorrect depth may lack vigor or die. Recommended varieties are Chandler and Camarosa.
Lawns
For a green lawn during the upcoming winter months overseed with winter ryegrass now. Also apply a high nitrogen fertilizer. This is particularly feasible if your lawn is small, easy to maintain and plays a significant role in the design of your garden.
Fruit Trees
Rake up fallen fruit and foliage around your peach, pear and apple trees. The debris will harbor fungal and bacterial infections through the winter and create problems next season. Figs, persimmons, loquat and pears are low maintenance fruit trees. Consider most others as high maintenance, as they require a regular schedule of pruning, spraying, etc.
Vegetables
Clean out unplanted areas and turn under any winter weeds that have sprouted and any debris that is not infested or diseased. Then sow a cover crop such as crimson clover or mulch with ground leaves or straw to keep down weeds, minimize erosion and nourish the soil. If you are wondering what you can plant now, get a copy of the Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide from your local AgCenter Office.
Birds
Clean out birdhouses and fill your feeders to attract migrating birds as well as winter residents. Keep feeders filled and you will bring life to your garden all winter long.
Christmas Cactus and Poinsettia
Cool nights are the secret to setting buds on your Christmas cactus. They also appreciate at least 14 hours of darkness. Do not leave them outside on nights when a frost is predicted. Poinsettias, on the other hand, need 40 days of 14 hour nights to develop bract color.