Your Gardening Calendar - October

 

 

 

October in the Southern California Garden

Each month has its special joys and tasks in the garden.  Below is a suggested calendar for October.  Remember that gardening depends on the weather, so tasks, bloom season and activities may vary from year to year.

You can download this calendar at: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/october-in-the-southern-california-garden

 

Best of Show:   §  Flowers: Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis pilularis, Ceanothus spp., Brickellia californica, Diplacus spp. (on coast), Epilobium canum, Salvia clevelandii, Verbena lilacena §  Fruits/seeds/berries: Eriogonum species, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Rosa spp., Shepherdia argentea, Symphoricarpos spp., Vitus spp. §  Foliage:  tan/brown foliage of local native grasses & shrubs; Anemopsis californica; Populus and Salix species

Planning/Preparation: §  Purchase plants from native plant nurseries/sales; place in semi-shade and water regularly until planted out. §  Consider adding some decorative and educational signs to your garden; explore your options – purchase/create, then install after pruning   Hardscape/General: §  Finish installing any hardscape: fences, paths, patios §  Re-apply mulch after pruning   Propagation: §  From seed: cool-season grass plugs; annual wildflowers, bulb seeds in nursery containers; winter veggie crops §  Start chilling seeds w/ shorter (1-2 month) pre-plant stratification period; check for roots every 2 weeks – plant in nursery containers when first roots emerge   Planting: §   Plant out cool-season vegetables from starts/pony-packs or from seed   Watering: prepare for the rainy season §  Taper off watering all but Zone 2-3 & 3 plants.  Keep vegetable gardens, containers & other Zone 3 plants watered – particularly if Santa Anna winds are predicted §  Once rains saturate the soil you can turn off your irrigation system (if you have one); check soils periodically during hot, windy, dry weather and water as needed §  Install/repair/clean rainwater collection/infiltration system (if not done in Sept.) §  Set out/clean rain gauge §  For more see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2015/08/preparing-for-el-nino-winter-rains.html   Pruning: major pruning month, particularly for Water Zone 1 and Zone 1-2 plants §  Prune to shape/thin: §  Ribes spp. §  Most summer-dry shrubs (particularly Coastal Sage Scrub and Coastal Shrubland species) §  Hedge-shear – often the best time for mature plants §  Divide native bulbs/corms; store or replant (better) §  Remove old leaves, dead stems, tidy up perennials, groundcovers and ornamental grasses §  For more see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2014/11/maintaining-your-new-california-garden_15.html   Weeds/Diseases/Pests: §  Usually not much weeding to do; but keep on top of any weeds, weedy grasses that may appear. §  Good time to work on removing patches of Bermuda & Kikuyu grasses, which are slowing down now §  Gophers may be getting desperate; consider options   Edibles/crafts: §  Dry aromatic prunings for seasoning/tea/potpourri §  Save artistic-looking materials for fall/winter decorations, flower arrangements, etc. §  Dye some yarn with prunings; or dry the dye-stuff for later §  Carve a pumpkin – or make a pie   Enjoying the garden: §  Go to the native plant sales; see what’s new, ask questions §  Visit a new-to-you native plant garden; take your camera and notebook to jot down ideas. §  Enjoy the play of tans, browns and grays – a subtle sophisticated color palette

10/1/2018