OCTOBER........................................Average Temp: 68 - Average Rainfall:3.2
PLANT bulbs for Spring bloom. Bulbs prefer sunny locations and good drainage. Narcissus, including daffodils, do not need to be refrigerated prior to planting. Tulips must be refrigerated for minimum eight weeks prior to planting. An old citrus fruit bag provides ventilation needed to store the bulbs. Do not freeze. Designing a bulb bed is easy. For a natural look, gently toss bulbs and plant where they fall. You may prefer a more formal look; if so, plant in groups of three or five along a border or in clumps between other bulbs or perennials. Following are perennial bulbs that may be planted this month: hyacinths, leucojum, iris, aspidistra, liriope, mondo grass, alstroemeria, agapanthus, crinum, amaryllis, cannas and lilies. Spring flowering seasonal bulbs that may be planted now include anemone, renunculus, calla, freesia and spuria. Dividing existing bulbs is o.k. now, except for “spider lilies". (Mark them with a dowel and divide and move in early Spring.) To plant bulbs, first choose a location with minimum 6 hours of sunlight. Dig the hole about 4 times as deep as the height of the bulb. Place a spoonful of bone meal in bottom of the hole. Set bulb on mound of soil, cover with good garden or potting soil, tamp down lightly and water in. Fertilize after blooming with bone meal. This month and next, plant Fall/Winter annuals such as sweet alyssum, pansies, kale, sedum, snapdragons, sweet peas, delphinium, etc. Work in blood meal as you plant.
CLEAN UP spent flowers and prune seasonal flowers and roses. Mulch with new mulch such as pine straw and composted leaves. If you buy mulch, choose the hardwood variety. It does not "rise and float away" during a downpour.
SOIL TESTING is a good idea and will let you know exactly what the soil in your garden needs. A very comprehensive report is provided by SFASU following their examination of the samples you take to them. Cost is about $25.
SPRAY roses for black spot through the end of this month. Spray dormant oil on the leaf undersides of camellias and holly. (Temperature under 80 degrees).
FERTILIZE roses with liquid fertilizer until the 15th• Afterward, discontinue feeding until Spring. An early frost will zap new growth brought on by late feeding.
PLAN to buy and plant trees and shrubs next month. Prepare the planting area for them this month.
For organic maintenance, see Howard Grant, the Dirt Doctor at http://www.dirtdoctor.com
CLEAN UP spent flowers and prune seasonal flowers and roses. Mulch with new mulch such as pine straw and composted leaves. If you buy mulch, choose the hardwood variety. It does not "rise and float away" during a downpour.
SOIL TESTING is a good idea and will let you know exactly what the soil in your garden needs. A very comprehensive report is provided by SFASU following their examination of the samples you take to them. Cost is about $25.
SPRAY roses for black spot through the end of this month. Spray dormant oil on the leaf undersides of camellias and holly. (Temperature under 80 degrees).
FERTILIZE roses with liquid fertilizer until the 15th• Afterward, discontinue feeding until Spring. An early frost will zap new growth brought on by late feeding.
PLAN to buy and plant trees and shrubs next month. Prepare the planting area for them this month.
For organic maintenance, see Howard Grant, the Dirt Doctor at http://www.dirtdoctor.com