By Charlie Nardozzi , Horticulturist and Leonard Perry , University of Vermont Extension Horticulturist
Tips for October’s flower garden:Dig tubers and corms
Lift and store dahlias.
When the first hoarfrost nigrify the foliage ofdahlias , cut off the stems about 6 column inch above the tubers ( the large swollen tooth root ) . cautiously dig the clumps with a coon or garden crotch , and gargle them off . Let the tubers dry in a touch protect from direct Dominicus and wind for a day ( not too farseeing or they ’ll begin to shrivel ) . stack away the Dahlia pinnata tuber chunk whole in air charge plate bag fill with peat moss , vermiculite , or sawdust . you could also pot the genus Tuber into barely moist soil . Store bags or pots in a dark , 35- to 50 - degree Fahrenheit localization such as a cellar or unwarmed garage .
Lift and store gladiolas.
Dig gladiolus corm ( their flattened repositing bulbs ) when their leaf have mostly died back , later in gloam than the dahlia . agitate the crap off , cut leaves off near the corm , and store for the winter in paper bags . They are not as fussy about wet and storage as Dahlia pinnata , but do n’t let glad corm freeze down .
Resist cutting roses.
Hard as it is to do , abstain from cut any more roses and permit the fruits ( rose pelvis ) form . This will signal to the plant life that it ’s fourth dimension to indurate off for winter . Do n’t spread wintertime mulch around roses until after the ground freeze — usually mid to tardy November .
Tips for October’s vegetable garden.
Plant garlic.
industrial plant garlic now for harvest home next summertime . buy organic ail sold specifically for planting , as garlic bought in grocery stores for cooking may have been treated to not sprout , and are usually not adapted to your mood . Try some different varieties to see which you favour .
disclose the garlic school principal into individual Syzygium aromaticum , keeping the largest ones for planting ( use the small cloves for preparation . ) works cloves about 3 - inch aside , 2 - inch deep , with the pointed side up . Mulch the layer well with straw . Usecrop rotation to void diseases — don’t plant it where you grew garlic , onions , or cabbage last year .
Test garden soil.
prove your soiland add any needed amendment now so the soil will be ready for planting in the springtime . Some amendment take metre to reveal down and become usable to plant life . If you have a nearby Extension Service spot , you may take advantage of their low - priced soil examination inspection and repair . If not , you’re able to station a soil sample by to a soil lab , or get a do - it - yourself kit . Most flora preferslightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8(a pH of 7 is neutral ) . New England soils tend to be acidic and frequently require the addition of lime . But your soil can deviate from localization to location in your yard , so if you notice different characteristics of the grease in unlike layer , test them separately .
Resist pruning.
obviate cut woody plants now because this will advance a flush of new outgrowth that will likely be damage by the upcoming cold-blooded temperature . or else , wait until recent winter or early leaping to snip most Tree and shrubs , including fruit trees .
More gardening reminders for October:
Tips for October’s lawn.
Keeping grass pout go bad into winterwill avail prevent snow mold disease on taller , packed - down grass . Keep leafage glance over from lawns so they do n’t smother the grass . spread out a thin topping ofcomposton the lawn after you rake up leave , and rake again to determine the compost .
A version of this clause in the beginning appeared on the University of Vermont Extension Service internet site .
