A garden may be small or large, reflect the ethos, aspirations, priorities and culture of its owner, be a place for restorative activity or an extension of the living space in the home.
Modern organic farming blends the oldest agricultural methods with new knowledge of soil science and ecology. Healthy soil is key to healthy crops.
“October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace!” — author Rainbow Rowell
By now, we have all experienced cool, crisp night air. Gardens are wowing us with one last hurrah before the freezing temperatures arrive. There is still much to do in the garden.
Lawn care
Cool-season turf such as fescue and bluegrass benefits from a mid- to late-October fertilization. Apply while grass is green and water after application. For more information on lawn care, check out CSU fact sheet Lawn Care #7.202. Do not fertilize warm-season grasses such as buffalo grass. Continue to mow grass between 2½ inches and 3 inches high. Water as needed until lawn goes dormant.
If the grass is thin, an early October core aeration, followed by over-seeding thin areas, will improve the spring landscape.
Leaves will fall this month; if they cover more than 10% of the lawn, remove them. Use shredded leaves as mulch in other parts of the garden or add them to the compost pile.
Vegetable garden
When frost is predicted, pick tomatoes and bring them inside to ripen. When other vegetables are finished for the season, clean up the plant material and debris.
This is a good time to amend soil so that you’re ready to plant cool-weather crops in spring when weather permits.
Perennial garden
Cleanup can be done either in autumn or spring. Deadhead perennial blooms now or leave the spent flowers as seed source for birds throughout winter.
If deadheading, leave green foliage in place since it is sending stored energy to the plant’s roots for next season. Ornamental grasses can be pruned back in the fall or left for winter interest.
Trees and shrubs
Make sure woody plants stay well hydrated as the weather cools. Trees and shrubs still need supplemental water after leaves are gone. Mulch around trees and shrubs to conserve moisture. Spread wood-based mulch evenly, 2 inches deep around the tree or shrub.
Irrigation system
Irrigation systems should be shut off and drained for winter. Blowing out pipes with compressed air minimizes the risk of freeze damage from residual water. If you have a compressor, you can do this yourself. For more information, go to the CSU Fact Sheet Home Sprinkler Systems: Preparing Your Sprinkler System for Winter – 4.719. Otherwise, set an appointment with a garden maintenance company.
Submit gardening questions to [email protected] or call 719-520-7684. The help desk is open 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 17 N. Spruce St. Find us on Facebook at Colorado Master Gardeners – El Paso County.
Source: gazette.com
