October is time for planting

By Bill Geer

Published: September 28, 2006

Q:Please list some landscape tips for October.

A:The following hints should be considered for most of October.

You can continue to replant or establish cool-season lawns such as fescue.

The mowing height for fescue should be lowered to about 2 1/2 inches for fall and winter cutting.

Broadleaf weeds such as dandelions can be easily controlled during October.

Mow and neatly edge warm-season lawns before the first killing frost.

Plant cool-season annuals such as pansies, ornamental cabbage or kale, snapdragons and dusty miller when temperatures begin to cool.

Begin planting spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths, crocuses and daffodils. Good companion plants for bulbs are evergreen ground covers such as ajuga, vinca, English ivy, alyssum, potentilla, moneywort, thrift, phlox, oxalis and leadwort.

Peonies, daylilies and other spring-flowering perennials should be divided or planted now.

Dig and store tender perennials such as cannas, dahlias and caladiums in a cool, dry place.

Buy trees from nurseries and garden centers at this time to select the fall color you prefer.

Many perennials can be planted at this time, and the selection is quite nice.

Plant fall mums and asters, and keep them watered during dry conditions. Don't crowd the plantings since they take a couple of years to reach maturity.

Plant container-grown trees and shrubs this month.

Check and treat houseplants for insect pests before bringing them indoors. Repot rootbound plants.

Dig sweet potatoes and harvest pumpkins and winter squash.

Remove green fruit from tomato plants when frost threatens.

Harvest Oriental persimmons and pawpaws as they begin to change color.

There is still time to plant radishes and mustard in the fall garden.

Use a cold frame device to plant spinach, lettuce and other cool-season crops for production during most of winter.

Plant cool-season cover crops such as Austrian winter peas, wheat, clover and rye in otherwise fallow garden plots.

Remove all debris from the garden to prevent overwintering of various garden pests.

Start new planting bed preparations now with plenty of organic matter.

Bill Geer is director of the Oklahoma County Extension Service. His column addresses frequently asked horticulture questions. For more information, call 713-1125.