October Gardening Tips for the Northeast

October Gardening Tips for the Northeast

How do I prevent plant diseases next spring?

What seasonal chores should I be doing this month?

The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are getting colder and that can only mean one thing in the Northeast region of the United States – it is fall. Before you close yourself in for the winter, don’t forget to follow this month’s gardening tips below.

October Gardening Tips: Northeast Region of U.S.

Landscaping Tips

U.S. Gardening Region Map

  • Make sure to do your fall clean up by removing any dead or diseased plants and leaves. Gardening experts everywhere agree that by doing this you will have fewer diseases next spring.
  • Instead of throwing out those fallen leaves, use them as mulch around your flower beds. Take a mulching blade and chop the leaves finely to use as mulch.
  • You can still plant any new shrubs and trees this month.
  • Refrain from pruning your trees and shrubs since this causes new growth. Right now trees are preparing to go into dormancy.

Fruit and Vegetable Tips

  • You can still plant garlic this month to harvest next summer.
  • Harvest your brussels sprouts after a few cold snaps because they will sweeten.
  • According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, harvest all vegetables that sensitive to frost like sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and winter squash.

Perennial and Annual Tips

  • Plant your spring flowering bulbs all this month. For tips on how to plant and what to plant view Backyard Gardening Tips: How to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs.
  • A great tip to keep animals from getting your spring bulbs is to cover the bulbs with chicken wire.
  • Do not forget to dip up all tender bulbs like canna, elephant ears, and calla lily.

General Gardening Tips

Better Homes and Gardens reminds us of our season chores. Chores like,

  1. Prior to freezing make sure to drain and coil your hose.
  2. Make sure you turn off all exterior shut-off valves.
  3. Seal all cracks and crevices around your home.

Bringing it Home

If you live in the Northeast part of the U.S., there are a number of gardening “to-dos” in October to prepare for winter and the following spring. What is on the top of you gardening list of things to do this month?

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