October Garden Chores as Numerous as Spring

As Fall approaches, October serves as the bridge linking 80 degree dreams to 20 degrees nightmares. If local weather is cooperative, this is a great time to be outdoors - not too hot or cool, with a hint of season changing. It is also the time to prepare your garden and property for the upcoming swing of the seasonal pendulum. There is no shortage of chores to be completed, and the clock is ticking. Procrastination in October translates to extensive labor in the Spring, not only punishing the apathetic, but attaching the dreaded moniker of "Eyesore" to your innocent landscape. I've found from experience, laziness, stupidity, what have you, a list is a must for October Garden Chores. Get a Coffee, sit down and look at your property. What needs done and what are your goals for the future? Be realistic and practical, remember, most likely it will be completed as a solo project, yours. A number of small useful chores are always better than a long tedious endeavor. Enlist the help of family if possible, but only if they have a genuine interest. Forced labor usually results in poor work, and the disharmony will follow and linger after going inside the house. These chores are a good learning opportunity for small children, and a good way to spend quality time with young grandkids. Here is a normal annual October list I follow for my garden:

Dry and Save Seed - If you have some particularly great plants, get those seeds.

Garden Pond - Start getting it Winterized now, beat the rush before it gets damaged.

Bring Potted Plants Inside - Self explanatory, don't let them die in an early frost.

Sharpen and Store Garden Tools - Nothing is worse than next Spring when full of ambition on a beautiful day your tools aren't worth a darn.

Harvest and Dry Herbs - Do it in October, perfect timing.

Check Soil - Test your soil for nutrients and make any necessary additions.

Prepare Roses - Get roses ready for cold weather.

Clean and Fill Feeders - If you have Bird or Squirrel Feeders, clean them well and fill them for your little friends.