Tom’s Timely Tips For October

• Pick bagworms from evergreen shrubs.  This will eliminate the spring hatch from over-wintered eggs.

• Remove leaves from lawn to reduce lawn problems.  Compost or shred and use them for mulch.

• Fall is the time to control certain broadleaf weeds in the lawn, such as white clover, dandelion and ground ivy.

• If rain is lacking, continue to thoroughly water trees, shrubs, planting beds and lawn areas, especially evergreens.

• Compost fallen leaves and garden debris such as annuals and spent vegetable plants.

• Continue to weed, weed, weed.

• Completely stake chrysanthemums, water and fertilize.

• Dig and store tender summer bulbs like caladium and elephant ear, Cover tubers with dry peat moss and store in a cool dry place.  Place mulch deeply over more hardy summer bulbs such as dahlia and gladioli.

• Winterize your lawn and garden equipment once you are through using them.

• Maintain your lawn and garden equipment once you re through using them.

• Maintain bird feeders for over-wintering songbirds.

• After we have had several hard frosts, add mulch to your perennial flower garden.  A one-inch layer of straw or hopped leaves will help conserve soil moisture and protect the root system.

• Continue to plant spring flowering bulbs.

• Pot up amaryllis tulips and other prepared bulbs and store in a cool, dark place until ready to force.

• Prune late flowering shrubs and trees when the are dormant. 

• Bring in all houseplants before frost.

• Hold off on fertilizing houseplants – resume in March.