October 2026
Now that we’ve gotten this beneficial rain, it’s time to think about getting our gardens ready for the what’s to come. There is still plenty of time left to plant spring bulbs and mums. As I said in my September hints, you can plant them until the ground freezes. But the earlier the better.
I’ve cut off all my calla lily, and gladiola leaves then dumped the soil, putting the bulbs out to dry after washing the soil off before storing them for the winter. I grow them all in pots. Also, time to do the same with amaryllis bulbs. They need about 3 months' rest before replanting them again for the holidays.
You should bring in your house plants that were outside for the summer soon. Keep them away from your other plants that were inside for about 2 weeks. They may have picked up bugs or diseases from outside. The warm temperature in your house will bring out any bugs. If you find them, you can treat them with horticulture soap, neem oil, or just a brisk spray of water. If you notice any white fuzzy spots, use a Q-Tip with alcohol on it to soak each spot. They are mealy bugs. The alcohol will kill them.
We usually get our first fall frost in mid-October. Keep an eye on the weather report now. Harvest any remaining tender vegetables like tomatoes, beans, summer squash, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, and basil. Green tomatoes will ripen inside in a cool, well lit room or on a windowsill. Some vegetables that can withstand a light frost are, lettuce, spinach, radishes, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, Swiss chard, mustard greens, and bok choi.
Salt march hay can be applied around root crops like carrots, beets, parsnips, onions, and rutabagas to protect them during the winter or until you want them. Salt march hay is a great winter mulch because it won’t produce any weeds unless it comes in contact with salt water. There are still lots of perennials that are just coming into bloom. Annuals too. Enjoy them while you can. A autumn landscape is beautiful with all its fall colors. Once the leaves start to fall off the trees, be sure to rake them up and compost them. Don’t put any debris that was covered in mildew or other diseases into your compost pile as the heat from a compost might not be hot enough to kill the diseases.
There are 2 theories about cutting back or leaving your perennials tall this time of year till spring. I cut mine back. And don’t mulch them. In the past, I have left the perennials tall and have found voles, moles, shrew mice and others have made a cozy winter home in them and spent the winter enjoy eating the roots of my day lilies, hosta, iris and grasses, etc. So, I cut them all very short to the ground. This discourages winter nesting. We provide winter food, water, and shelter for the birds. So I don’t feel bad about cutting my perennial back.
If you have time, there is a gorgeous display of over 2,000 Dahlias in Gloucester near the waterfront monument going on now. Open free to the public. Also, take in the flower barn at the Topsfield fair starting October 2nd to the 12 th. Usually, 10 am to 10 pm. Sometime changes on different days. Check the internet. The early days are the best when everything is fresh. Senior citizen day is Monday, Oct. 7 th. Discounted ticket prices that day.
