Category
|
Week
|
Activity
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
| Ornamentals |
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Continue watering, especially evergreens if soils are dry. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Nuts or seeds of woody plants usually require exposure to 3 months cold before sprouting. This may be provided by outdoor planting in fall or "stratifying" in an unsealed bag of damp peat moss placed in the refrigerator. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Container grown and B & B trees and shrubs can be planted. Loosen the soil in an area 5 times the diameter of the root ball before planting. Mulch well after watering. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Plant spring bulbs among hostas, ferns, daylilies or ground covers. As these plants grow in the spring they will hide the dying bulb foliage. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
For best bloom later this winter, Christmas cactus, potted azaleas and kalanchoe may be left outdoors until night temperatures drop to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. |
|
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Spring bulbs for forcing can be potted up now and stored in a cool, frost-free place until it is time to bring indoors, usually 12 to 15 weeks. |
|
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
Cannas and dahlias can be dug when frost nips their foliage. Allow the plants to dry under cover in an airy, frost-free place before storage. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
Transplant deciduous trees once they have dropped their leaves. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
Plant tulips now. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
Trees may be fertilized now. This is best done following soil test guidelines. |
| Lawns |
x
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
Seeding should be finished by October 15. |
|
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
Broadleaf herbicides can be applied now to control cool season weeds such as chickweed and dandelion. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
Continue mowing lawns until growth stops. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
Keep leaves raked off lawns to prevent smothering grass. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
Now is a good time to apply lime if soil tests indicate the need. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
Winterize lawn mowers before storage. |
| Vegetables |
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Sow cover crops such as winter rye after crops are harvested. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
Harvest winter squash and pumpkins before frost. For best storage quality, leave an inch or two of stem on each fruit. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
Dig sweet potatoes before a bad freeze. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
Gourds should be harvested when their shells become hard or when their color changes from green to brown. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
A few degrees of frost protection may be gained by covering tender plants with sheets or light-weight fabric row covers. |
|
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
Continue harvesting tender crops before frost. |
|
|
o
|
x
|
o
|
o
|
The average first frost usually arrives about October 15-20. |
| Fruits |
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Store apples in a cool basement in old plastic sacks that have been perforated for good air circulation. |
|
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
o
|
Persimmons start to ripen, especially after frost. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
x
|
Monitor fruit plantings for mouse activity and take steps for their control if present. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
Place wire guards around trunks of young fruit trees for protection against mice and rabbits. |
| Miscellaneous |
x
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
Fall color season begins. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
o
|
Begin peak fall color in maples, hickories and oaks. |
|
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
x
|
End of peak fall color. |
