By Claudette Sims, Halton Master Gardener
Stems and seedheads
Refrain from cutting back perennials. Stems offer shelter for cavity-dwelling native bees and beneficial insects and also collect snow to insulate and protect plants. Seedheads provide food for birds and winter interest for everyone.
Bulbs
Plant spring flowering bulbs such as crocus, tulip, hyacinth, and daffodil as long as the soil is workable. Water bulbs after planting. You may also have time to divide and replant overcrowded spring bulbs and fall crocus that
have finished blooming.
Bare soil
Protect bare soil from erosion and winter sun with a layer of organic matter, e.g. compost, leaves, straw, mulch or manure. Avoid tilling, which destroys soil structure and soil organisms and encourages weeds to
germinate.
General garden care
Empty and store or cover pots and watering cans in a dry place to avoid damage from freezing. Turn off outside water connections and remove hoses. Hang garden hoses to drain before storage.
Houseplants
Decrease watering as the days become shorter. Increase humidity by misting plants. Check for pests weekly and treat with commercial insecticidal soap if needed. Increase lighting with grow lights or reflective
surfaces.
Trees
Deciduous trees can be planted now until freeze up of the soil. Watch this great video (here or below) on planting trees. Find native tree suggestions for our south-western area at this Tree Atlas link.
Lawn and weeds
Rake or “mow” leaves and remove to garden beds. Leave some leaves uncut for beneficial insects and pollinators who overwinter in leaf litter. Keep on weeding as long as the soil is workable. When mowing is done for the season, clean the mower and sharpen the blades.
Invasive plants
Remove any common buckthorn and garlic mustard seedlings. Continue to hand pull, rake or cut off weeds at ground level with a sharp spade or garden tool. Remove seedheads to reduce the seed bank in your soil.
See the Halton Master Gardeners’ October newsletter for any garden jobs that you may have missed!
