Sally Scalera

Brevard County Horticulture Extension Agent
3695 Lake Drive -- Cocoa FL 32926 -- 321-633-1702

October gardening plans

September 25, 2004

Now that October is here I can't help but think of fall. Of course, in Florida, fall doesn't quite feel or look the same as it does up north but at least summer is officially over and the weather will hopefully be getting cooler in the near future. If you want to get outside there are plenty of things to do in the yard so, read on if you need any suggestions.

  • As the temperatures cool down a little and the days become shorter the turf won't require as much water. Let your lawn tell you when it's time to water. When a section of the St. Augustine grass's leaf blades fold in half than apply 3/4 to 1 inch of water. Don't turn on your irrigation again until an area of the lawn folds up its leaf blades. Remember, water deeply but infrequently!
  • Replant spent flower beds with cool-season annuals such as alyssum, calendula, chrysanthemum, dianthus, geranium, petunia, snapdragon, pansy, flowering tobacco, stock, and flowering kale.
  • If you have poinsettias, do not prune them now if you want the colorful bracts for Christmas.
  • Now is a good time to plant container-grown trees and shrubs.
  • Give your hedges their final trimming before winter sets in.
  • Remove all dead or diseased wood from your shrubs and trees. To keep from spreading any diseases when pruning, spray rubbing alcohol or a mild bleach solution on all pruning equipment and wipe clean before moving on to the next plant.
  • A few of the herbs that can be planted this month include borage, chives, coriander, lavender, mint, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, lemon grass and thyme.
  • Bulbs that can be added to the landscape include Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus), amaryllis, calla, crinum, Aztec lily (Sprekelia), Anemone, Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea), Snowflake (Leucojum), Kaffir lily (Clivia), Walking iris (Neomarica), Narcissus, Iris (not German or Japanese), Watsonia (Watsonia spp.), Spider lily (Hymenocallis sp.) Elephant ears (Alocasia, Colocasia, Xanthosoma) African iris (Moraea spp.), Tritonia crocata var. miniata and rain lily (Zephyranthes spp.).
  • If you didn't plant strawberries in September then this is your last month to do so.
  • If you haven't done it yet - add a fresh layer of compost to your garden now before you plant your cool-season crops.
  • Delay all of your pruning of vines and fruit trees until mid-winter.
  • Vegetables that can be planted in October include beets, broccoli, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, carrots (sow the seeds directly in the garden), cauliflower, celery, collards, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onions- bulbing, bunching and multipliers, English peas, radishes (sow the seeds directly in the garden), spinach, and turnips.
  • Vegetable seeds that can be sown in October for planting in November are beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, English peas, spinach and turnips.

To ensure that your poinsettia and Christmas cactus bloom during the holidays make sure that they get at least 14 hours of total and uninterrupted darkness through the night. Only if there are flood lights, street lights or house lights nearby will you need to start covering the plants now with a box or dark cloth during the night, starting in the late afternoon and uncovering it in the morning. Continue to do this until the middle of December or blooming begins, whichever comes first.