Early October is a good time to plant spring-blooming bulbs so they will establish roots before the first hard frost.
Plant daffodils and tulips in groups of at least twelve or more bulbs. Plant small bulbs in groups of fifty or more. Bulbs planted of one variety and color in mass will have a spectacular visual impact
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It will be time to think about digging and storing the tender bulbs, corms, and roots (cannas, dahlias, gladiolus, and tuberous begonias) that you planted in the spring. Once the first frost has discolored the foliage, dig out the bulbs, clean off the excess soil, and store them in a box of sawdust, peat moss, or vermiculite in a cool dry place until spring.
Watch your thermometer on colder nights. A windless, cold, clear night usually means a killing frost, but you can keep your chrysanthemums and asters blooming for a while longer if you provide a little frost protection for them. A small, simple frame covered with cheesecloth or an old bed sheet placed over your plants on frosty nights can add weeks more of garden blooms. Never use plastic for frost protection!
Mulching fall planted perennials will keep the soil warmer longer, allowing root growth to continue, however, the plants do need time to harden off for winter. Spread a thin layer of mulch after fall planting, and then add a thicker layer once the ground has frozen.
Tropical house plants should be brought indoors as by now. Don’t wait until temperatures drop to freezing since cool autumn nights in the 40′s can damage some sensitive plants.
If you’d like to know more about how to prepare your plants, flowers or garden for Fall, please check out our information at Boesen.com.
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