Things to do: October

Leave flower stalks of perennials intact over winter it gives the plants a little more winter interest. If they have seeds some birds may get a treat.

Remove leaves with black spot/mildew and throw in trash not compost. Black spot is a fungus and will spread or lay dormant over winter.

Harvest brussel sprouts after a hard frost. Plant garlic and shallots.

Rake leaves. Remove annuals from garden, after a frost. Clean garden debris. Remove vegetable plants and fallen fruit. Place all your debris into composter.

Plant/divide peonies, they will produce blooms for over 75 years.

Add mulched leaves and compost to vegetable garden for next year.

Make sure your trees and shrubs get a thorough watering. (rain or hose)

Take geranium and houseplant cuttings if not done in September.

Remove dead annuals and cut back hollow stem perennials.

Add soil amendments to improve your soil

Clean garden storage area, clean and oil garden tools ready for the next season.

Leave flower stalks of perennials intact until April. Leave flowers with seeds for the birds. Cut back perennial foliage to discourage over wintering pests.

Plant / transplant trees and shrubs. Water and mulch.

Plant amaryllis bulbs (houseplant) for Christmas. Mature bulbs usually take 6-8 weeks from planting to flowering.

Once frost has decimated the foliage, dig up, wash and air dry all tubers and corms from dahlias, cannas, glads and begonias etc. Store in a cool dry spot after you have dusted them with a fungicide.

Plant garlic in a sunny location with rich, friable soil; mulch well with a thick layer of straw or shredded leaves.

Leave flower stalks of perennials intact over winter it gives the plants a little more winter interest. If they have seeds some birds may get a treat.

Plant spring bulbs. Try something new to you. Squirrels are always a problem when planting bulbs. Try planting daffodils with whatever you decided to plant. Or plant daffodils in close proximity. It works for me. If squirrels are a major problem try laying chicken wire over the area until heavy freeze up. DON'T use mothballs "They are Toxic"

Day +15 cloudy with a few showers Winds W10km/h P.O.P.20%
Night +5 clearing Winds SW10km/h P.O.P.10%