5 Things South Jersey Gardeners Should Be Doing in October
By the time October rolls around, it’s tempting to assume another gardening season has come to an end. The summer annuals are fading, leaves are starting to fall and cooler mornings have us thinking more about pumpkins than planting. But here in South Jersey, October can actually be one of the best months to spend time in the garden.
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Cooler temperatures make outdoor projects a whole lot more enjoyable, while the soil is still warm enough for plants to establish healthy roots before winter. So before you officially put the garden to bed, here are five things you can do now to make the most of Fall—and set yourself up for an even better garden next spring.
- Keep landscaping. Fall is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Cooler air temperatures put less stress on new plants, while warm soil encourages root growth. Plants can focus their energy below ground instead of trying to survive summer heat, giving them a head start before next year’s growing season. Just remember: newly planted trees and shrubs still need consistent watering until the ground freezes.
- Refresh tired containers. Your summer planters may be looking a little tired, but that doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. Remove declining annuals and replace them with fall favorites like mums, ornamental cabbage, pansies, millet, ornamental grasses and other cool-weather blooms. Keep any summer plants that are still thriving and layer in fall color and texture for an easy—and budget-friendly—seasonal refresh.
- Plant spring bulbs now. Want tulips, daffodils, alliums and other beautiful blooms next spring? October is the time to get those bulbs into the ground. Spring-flowering bulbs need a period of cold temperatures before they can bloom, so a little work now pays off when those first pops of color emerge after winter.
- Resist the urge to clean up everything. A perfectly tidy garden isn’t always the best thing for your landscape. Consider leaving some perennial stems, ornamental grasses and seed heads standing through winter. They can add texture and interest to an otherwise bare winter garden while also providing valuable food and habitat for birds and beneficial insects.
- Think beyond mums. We love a classic fall mum, but there are so many ways to bring autumn color to your home and landscape. Mix colorful foliage, ornamental grasses, peppers, pumpkins and interesting textures into your containers and garden beds. Layering different plants and natural elements creates a fall display that feels collected and can carry you well beyond October.
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The arrival of Fall doesn’t mean gardening season is over. In many ways, October is an opportunity to enjoy your landscape without the heat of summer while investing in what your garden will look like next year.
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Need a little help getting started? Visit Bast Brothers Garden Center for Fall essentials, trees, shrubs, perennials and everything you need for your landscape. You can also shop our expanded selection of plants online and have them shipped free directly to your doorstep. Happy Fall planting!
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