Blooms & Beyond: Insights from New England Nurseries
October 2024
Sweater-weather is quickly approaching. But, before you pack up your gardening gear and head inside, keep in mind that autumn is a great time to plan (and plant) for the spring. You’ll want to get your spring blooming bulbs in the ground, as well as replace any trees or shrubs that didn’t fair well over the Summer. Lastly, you’ll want to check out the areas in the lawn where you need to repair or replace damaged or dead grass. Keep reading for more fall to-dos!
New England Nurseries’ Monthly Garden Guide: October
October in Massachusetts is an excellent time to prepare your garden for the upcoming winter and ensure a healthy start for the next growing season. Here are some gardening tasks to focus on:
Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs
Bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths should be planted now to ensure a vibrant spring display.
Plant them in well-drained soil, about 2-3 times the depth of the bulb's height.
Divide and Transplant Perennials
Divide overgrown perennials like hostas, daylilies, irises, and peonies.
October’s cooler weather is ideal for dividing and moving plants, allowing them to establish roots before winter.
Mulch Garden Beds
Add a layer of mulch (2-3 inches) around your garden beds to protect plants from temperature fluctuations and conserve moisture.
Mulching also helps prevent soil erosion during winter rains and snow.
Clean Up Annuals and Weeds
Pull out spent annuals and vegetable plants, as they can harbor diseases and pests.
Remove invasive weeds to prevent them from overwintering and spreading in the spring.
Plant Garlic
October is the best time to plant garlic in Massachusetts. Plant cloves pointy-side up, about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart.
Garlic will develop roots over the winter and be ready to harvest by mid-summer.
Protect Tender Perennials
Bring in any tender plants like herbs, tropicals, and container plants before the first frost.
Plant Trees and Shrubs
October is a great time to plant trees and shrubs, giving them time to establish roots before winter.
Make sure to water them well until the ground freezes.
Cut Back Dead and Diseased Foliage
Prune back any dead or diseased foliage on perennials to prevent the spread of disease next year. However, leave ornamental grasses and seed heads like coneflowers for winter interest and wildlife.
Prepare the Lawn
Overseed or fertilize the lawn if needed. Use a slow-release fertilizer designed for fall, which helps the grass recover from summer stress and strengthens roots for winter.
Keep mowing until the grass stops growing, typically when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F.
Wrap Young Trees
Protect the bark of young or newly planted trees from winter damage by wrapping them with tree guards or burlap.
Water Well Before Frost
Give your plants a deep watering before the first frost, especially perennials and newly planted trees/shrubs. This helps them enter winter with a healthy moisture level.
Our Monthly Top 10:
October is the favorite month for many. Is it the cooler weather? The pumpkin spice? Or perhaps Halloween? It’s probably different for everyone, but we definitely have several great reasons to love fall at New England Nurseries. And, those reasons will be this month’s top 10!
1. This cute little jack-o-lantern guy.
Perfect for the garden or porch;
2. Selecting the perfect pumpkin to bring your carving vision to life.;
3. The beautiful colors and jewel-like
appearance of ornamental corn;
4. This huge skeleton. He is ready for
Halloween.
5. Mums. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors;
6. Giant fuzzy spiders;
7. A new wreath for the front door;
8. Porch displays with corn stalks and
hay bales;
9. Small, funky gourds; and
10. New door mats with adorable fall vibes.
Current Gardening Trends
This month we’re focusing on outdoor kitchens. Because, we all know that food tastes better outdoors!
Outdoor kitchens are a popular home addition that extends the living space into the garden, providing a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor environments. With features like built-in grills, countertops, sinks, and even pizza ovens, outdoor kitchens are designed to make cooking and entertaining outside more convenient and enjoyable. One of the primary benefits is the social aspect - they create a natural gathering point for family and friends, enhancing the overall entertainment experience. Cooking outdoors can also reduce indoor heat and energy costs during warmer months. Additionally, outdoor kitchens add aesthetic appeal and increase property value by turning a backyard into a functional and versatile space, making them an investment that combines practicality with luxury.
Did You Know – Fun Plant Facts
Since it’s October and we’re surrounded by pumpkins at New England Nurseries, let’s take a deeper look at what makes them fun and unique. First off, pumpkins are technically a fruit. They receive this botanical classification because they contain seeds and develop from the flowering part of the plant. Interestingly, pumpkins were once used to remove freckles. While we’re not sure if they can completely eliminate freckles, pumpkins do contain an enzyme that makes them perfect for exfoliating face masks. The largest pumpkin ever recorded was grown in Italy in 2021 and weighed a staggering 2,702 pounds. There are over 45 different varieties of pumpkins, ranging from the small and sweet ‘Sugar Pie’ to the enormous ‘Atlantic Giant.’ They also come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors - including blue, white, and even green. Despite their dense appearance, pumpkins are made up of 90% water, which makes them low in calories and hydrating. And lastly, pumpkin flowers are edible. They’re often used in salads, stir-fried, deep-fried, or added to soups. The flowers are said to have a mild, sweet flavor.
Greenery or Gear: Monthly Plant or Tool Spotlight
As you bring your plants inside, you’ll want to give them a good check over. It’s probably a good time to give all over your indoor plants a look over. What you are looking for are any signs of insect infestation. Signs of an indoor plant insect infestation can include yellowing or wilting leaves, tiny holes or spots on the foliage, and sticky residue on leaves or surrounding surfaces. You might also notice webbing, a cotton-like substance, or visible insects like aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies on the undersides of leaves or near the soil. Additionally, stunted growth or distorted leaves can indicate the presence of pests feeding on the plant’s nutrients.
Should you find any issues, you’ll want to use a Horticultural Spray Oil, Neem Oil, or Insecticidal Soap to rid your plant of pests. Products like Neem Oil are also effective against powdery mildew and rust.
I like this new format. It is full of information and ideas.