Tips for October

Tips for October

ROSES

Quite a few roses ,shrub roses, old roses and climbers naturally withstand freezing temperatures and need little or no protection. A number of newer hybrid teas are marked as subzero plants needing only minimal protection. Miniature roses are more cold resistant than most hybrid teas and other garden roses and require little winter protection. Roses planted in locations that are protected by trees, large shrubs or structures fare better than bushes exposed to the elements . Sudden changes in temperature in the fall, before the plant has hardened off for winter can be disastrous. Early freezes kill more canes than much colder winter freezes . In order to discourage new growth that might be destroyed by a freeze, avoid late summer applications of nitrogen and hold back on watering. Here are some other methods for protecting your roses

After the first hard frost, mound up the soil to a height of 6-8 inches around the plants. Use soil from another area of the garden for mounding to avoid disturbing the roots.Prune each plant only enough to prevent the plant from whipping about in the wind or to fit it under a protective cover. Dispose of the clippings.

Spray the plant with an antidesiccant (wilt proof) dormant spray.

FLOWERS

Fall is the best time to divide perennials. There are three reasons for dividing perennials. One is to control there growth, another is to rejuvenate them or propagate them. (If you're nice give them to your neighbor.) By nature most perennials grow larger each year, usually by spreading. Left alone the clumps expand until they compete against themselves. The plants on the outer edge thrive in fresh soil, But those in the center suffer for lack of soil nutrients, moisture, light and soil. The result in not dividing is a circle of healthy plants on the outside while the center is dying. The general rule of thumb is to divide spring and summer blooming plants in the fall . Late summer or Fall blooming plants should be divided in the early spring to give the plant the whole season for the roots to take. Before dividing decide which plants can be saved, which to dig out altogether, and which to replant elsewhere. To make digging and dividing easier, water the plant beds well a few days beforehand. Prune the plants that are going to get divided 6" from the ground, so that you can see what needs to be done.

PERENNIALS

Cut back perennials to 3 inches. Plant hardy bulbs before the ground freezes. Bring fuchsias and store them at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Pull out plants killed by frost and clean up the debris.

LAWNS

Rake and compost fallen leaves. Where weather permits continue with the lawn tips from September (planting seed, fertilizing, and killing weeds) until the first half of the month.

Last Updated:May 21, 2006