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You are here: Home / Gardening / The FresYes Garden: October Planting

The FresYes Garden: October Planting

October 12, 2014 by Tamera Shoemaker Leave a Comment

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Snapdragons, pansies, and stock. Oh, my! It’s important to know which annuals will perform well for you before you take that trip to the garden center.  With so many choices, how do you choose?  Some annuals will not even bloom for you until Spring.  So what is the point of planting now, you ask?  October in the Valley offers us warm days and cool evenings; perfect weather to get roots established and give you an awesome show of color come Spring.  Annuals planted now will also need much less water to survive due to cooler temperatures and rainfall (Lord willing!) Plants like sweet peas, foxglove, delphinium, columbine, and ranunculus are  examples of these.  Plants that will come alive in Spring while offering little color in the Fall are snapdragons and stock.  Then, of course, you have the nonstop bloomers.  Plants such as violas, pansies, Iceland poppies, and alyssum.  These beauties will be blooming when you plant them and will last well into late Spring.

Snapdragons blooming in April
Snapdragons blooming in April

A few other cool weather bloomers worth mentioning are ornamental cabbage and cyclamen.  Ornamental cabbage and kale is sold individually or in six-packs.  While they may look gray in color now, planting them in October ensures that they put on all of their growth.  When the weather cools, their color intensifies.  Cyclamen can be planted in a shady location and will bloom until the weather heats up.  They are a great option for pots and are best under dry conditions.  The quickest way to kill cyclamen is to give them too much water, which makes them a great option during the drought.

Cyclamen add color to this Fall display
Cyclamen add color during Fall & Winter

Although bulbs won’t be planted until November, it is important to get in the nurseries now while there is a good selection.  Bulbs like daffodils, narcissus, ranunculus, anemone, dutch iris, and freesia can be kept in a paper bag until it’s time to plant.  Tulips, hyacinth, and crocus should be refrigerated for 4-6 weeks before planting.  Bearded iris can be planted right away and are an excellent option in dry areas.

Iris getting ready to bloom in April among Snapdragons and Alyssum
Iris getting ready to bloom in April among Snapdragons and Alyssum

Along with ornamental gardens, October is the last prime month to get your veggie gardens in.  Radish, beets, carrot, and peas can be started from seed fairly easily.  For those looking to cut back on their water use, planting later in the fall minimizes the use of supplemental water and takes advantage of seasonal rains to establish plants.  Another way to conserve water is MULCH, MULCH, MULCH!  Veggies available in starter packs are:

  • cauliflower
  • broccoli
  • onions
  • brussels sprouts
  • spinach
  • lettuce
  • swiss chard
  • turnips
If you have limited space, grow lettuce in containers to keep close at hand for cutting
If you have limited space, grow lettuce in containers to keep close at hand for cutting

Here are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you get your bloomers and veggies off to a great start.  Always make sure you have irrigation in place and good drainage.  Adding organic compost can give your soil a much needed boost as well.  I love using GreenAll Firmulch Soil Conditioner to add organic matter to poor soil, such as clay or hard pan. This soil will help loosen compacted soils, conserve moisture and improve soil aeration.  Next, remember to use a good fertilizer.  My favorite one to recommend is Osmocote.  It is a slow-release fertilizer, sold in granular form.  One feeding lasts a whole four months!  Throw some in each hole while you plant or sprinkle around existing plants.  Lastly, once your plants are in the ground, mulch around them to keep roots warm through the winter.

Foxglove displaying the benefits of a healthy dose of Osmocote
Foxglove displaying the benefits of a healthy dose of Osmocote

What will your FresYes garden be growing this season?  Nonstop bloomers or veggies?  Maybe both?  Are you ahead of the game with your garden already planted?  Or, are you like me, and can’t bear the thought of putting in your Fall plants until you can do it in a sweater?  Since we are still in the high 90’s, I will opt for flowers before comfort.  🙂

 

 

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Tamera Shoemaker
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Tamera Shoemaker
Garden Blogger at FresYes.com
Forget the Beach! Tamera prefers to soak up the valley sun in the garden. Tamera's love for gardening began 13 years ago after moving into her first home with her husband, Dave. A Clovis native with deep roots in the valley, she has worked for several local nurseries guiding her clients to the right plant for the right spot. With an emphasis on hospitality, Tamera thrives on helping others create an inviting garden that gives joy to the gardener and their guests.
You can find Tamera working part-time at Evergreen Garden Center or trying to keep up with her 2 girls.
Tamera Shoemaker
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Latest posts by Tamera Shoemaker (see all)
  • How to Arrange Your Mental & Physical Fitness at Old Town Yoga - February 2, 2017
  • The FresYes Garden: Local Garden Spotlight - April 12, 2015
  • The FresYes Garden: Summer Annuals - March 29, 2015
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Fresyes.com was started by me, Jason Farris. Yes, I'm in real estate. I think that real estate is so much more than buying and selling homes. It's all about the lifestyle, it's about community. Here in the Fresno / Clovis area we have such a wonderful sense of community. I wanted a place that best reflects the people, the places and the lifestyle that we call home. Fresyes.com is that place. We have fabulous authors who share what makes this community of ours so special. I also write here, and not always about real estate. You can find all my posts HERE

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