Written by Charlie Nardozzi, horticulturist, and Leonard Perry, horticulturist, University of Vermont
Picking dahlia tubers and storing them for the winter, planting garlic for next summer's harvest and testing the soil are some of the gardening activities in October.
© The last dahlias in my fall garden courtesy of The Great Gardening Blog . Soon it will be time to pull out the bulbs and put them away for the winter.Gardening tips for October flowers : dig up tubers and bulbs
Freeze and store dahlias.
When the first frost darkens the dahlia leaves, cut the stem about 6 inches above the tuber (large swollen root). Carefully dig up the clumps with a spade or garden fork and clean them. Leave the tubers to dry for a day in a place protected from the sun and wind (not too long, otherwise they will start to dry out). Store whole dahlia tubers in an airtight plastic bag filled with peat moss, vermiculite or sawdust. You can plant the tubers in slightly moist soil. Store bags or containers in a dark place between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, such as an unheated basement or garage.
Pick and store gladioli.
Dig gladiolus bulbs (their flat bulbs) when the leaves are mostly dead, later in the fall than dahlias. Shake off the dirt, cut the leaves close to the action and store them in a paper bag for the winter. They are not as demanding on humidity and storage as dahlias, but do not allow gladiolus bulbs to freeze.
Cut resistance to roses.
This is difficult to do, avoid cutting other roses and let the fruits (rose) form. This will signal to the plant that it is time to harden off for the winter. Don't apply winter mulch around rose bushes until the ground freezes, usually in mid to late November.
© Courtesy of Big Gardening Blog Gladioli bloom in the July garden.October gardening proposals
Add the garlic.
Plant garlic now for next summer's harvest. Buy organic garlic that is sold specifically for planting, as supermarket-bought garlic for cooking may be treated to prevent sprouting and is generally not suitable for your climate. Try a few different types to see which ones you like best.
Cut the head of garlic into individual cloves, saving the larger ones for planting (use the smaller cloves for cooking). Plant the seeds 3 inches apart, 2 inches deep, pointy side up. Cover the bed well with straw. Use crop rotation to prevent disease; don't plant where you grew garlic, onions or cabbage last year.
Test the garden soil.
Test your soil and add any necessary amendments now so the soil is ready for planting in the spring. Some changes take time to break down and become available to plants. If you have an extension services office nearby, you can take advantage of low-cost soil testing services. Alternatively, you can send a soil sample to a soil lab or get a DIY kit. Most plants prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8 (7 is neutral pH). New England soils are acidic and require frequent additions of lime. But your soil can vary from place to place in your garden, so if you notice different soil characteristics in different beds, test them separately.
Avoid layoffs.
Avoid pruning woody plants now, as this will encourage new growth that can be damaged by cold temperatures. Instead, wait until late winter or early spring to prune most trees and shrubs, including fruit trees.
Other gardening tips for October:
October Lawn Tips
Keeping your lawn mowed in the winter will help prevent snow mold disease in tall, dense grass. Keep leaves off the lawn to prevent weeds from growing. Spread a fine mulch over the lawn by raking the leaves and raking again to leave compost.
A version of this article originally appeared on the University of Vermont Extension Service website.
