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October Gardening Tips

January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

Plant

Plant anything that survives in the desert or Mediterranean climates: California Natives, Pacific Coast iris, California lilac, manzanita, western redbud, Matilija poppy, penstemon, anything not frost sensitive and all of the "Cape Bulbs" (those native to South Africa including freesia, homeria, ixia, sparaxis, and watsonia).
Plant winter-flowering sweet peas along costal areas, soaking overnight before sowing.
Select fall bulbs for spring color. Choose from freesia, ranunculus, daffodil and narcissus. Remember that tulips, hyacinths and croscus should be refrigerated six to eight weeks prior to planting in warm winter areas. Do not place in the freezer.

Not sure where to plant those bulbs? Do what Jean Rogers does, plant your bulbs in a peat pot and when they're well established plant them where they look best. Move them around until you find just the right place. As time goes by, the peat pot will disintegrate and you'll have a perfectly placed flower!
Plant cool-season flowers such as alyssum, calendula, canterbury bells, cineraria, cyclamen, delphinium, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, ornamental kale, paludosum daisy, perennial candytuf, annual phlox, primrose, snapdragon, stock, sweet william, sweet violet and viola.
Garden centers will still have a good selection of chrysanthemums and herbs this month.
Plant winter vegetables: arugula, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cilantro, green peas, lettuce, parsley and potatoes.
Seed cool-season lawns such as Marathon blends from sod or seed.
Broadcast wildflower seeds which will germinate after the winter rains.

Feed & Fertilize

After the fall bloom on roses, either cut them back and fertilize to promote a bloom before the end of the year or let them form hips and gently approach dormancy.
Cool-season grasses need an all-purpose fertilizer
Remove emerging cool-season weeds from flowerbeds, then mulch.

Prune/Trim/Clean

Tender bulbs such as dahlia, begonia and canna should be allowed to go dormant in colder areas and then can be dug up and stored until spring.
Prune dead, weak or diseased branches from trees and shrubs.
Prune asparagus to soil level after the growth has yellowed.

Miscellaneous

Repair and keep bird feeders filled so birds will continue to visit during less abundant food months.
Keep Christmas cacti at 50⁰ to 55⁰ to set blooms.
Reprogram irrigation timers and systems to reflect the decrease in water needs as the days get shorter and the weather cools. Turn the compost pile one last time before the cool winter days.
Prepare banks and slopes to control soil erosion caused by rains.