October is here, but gardening season isn’t over yet! Early fall is a great time to tackle a few important jobs that can help your garden and landscape finish the season strong — and get a head start on spring.

Here’s your October garden checklist:

☐ Keep Planting

Early October is still a great time to plant trees, shrubs, and hardy perennials in Connecticut. Cooler air reduces stress on plants, while the soil is still warm enough for roots to establish before winter.  Plus, our trees, shrubs, and perennials are 30% off now, and will be progressive to 40% off next week! Great time to plant and save. 

☐ Plant Spring Bulbs

Want tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, or alliums next spring? Get those spring-blooming bulbs into the ground this fall so they receive the cold period they need to bloom.

☐ Keep Watering

Don’t put the hose away just yet. Newly planted trees, shrubs, perennials, evergreens, and newly seeded lawns still need consistent moisture, especially during dry stretches.

☐ Take Care of the Lawn

Continue mowing while your grass is actively growing and keep newly seeded areas watered. As leaves begin to fall, mulch light amounts with your mower or rake up heavier layers so they don’t smother the lawn.

☐ Watch for Frost

Keep an eye on nighttime temperatures. Tender annuals, vegetables, herbs, and tropical plants may need protection when frost is in the forecast.

If you’re bringing houseplants back indoors, inspect them carefully for pests first!

☐ Don’t Overdo the Cleanup

Your garden doesn’t need to be completely cut down for winter. Remove diseased or damaged material, but consider leaving healthy seed heads, perennial stems, and ornamental grasses standing for winter interest and wildlife.

☐ Harvest Tender Vegetables

Pick tomatoes, peppers, basil, and other frost-sensitive crops before freezing temperatures arrive. Hardier vegetables like kale, carrots, and Brussels sprouts can usually handle cooler fall weather.

☐ Make Notes for Next Year

Take one last look around your landscape. Are there bare spots you want to fill? Areas that could use more fall color? Plants you’d like to move? Making a few notes now can make spring garden planning much easier.

Still Plenty of Time to Garden

Early October is one of the most useful times of year for fall gardening in Connecticut. A little planting, watering, lawn care, and cleanup now can make a big difference next spring.

Stop by Moscarillo’s Garden Shoppe if you need help with fall planting, trees, shrubs, perennials, spring bulbs, or getting your garden ready for winter.