Hey ho, it's October! What should you do in your garden this month?

If you haven't noticed, it's fall! But it doesn't mean that our work in the garden comes to a halt. On the contrary, there's still plenty to be done and to learn in your garden this October. This post is designed to help you navigate through the unique tips and tricks to keep your garden thriving throughout the fall season.

Keep Harvesting (and Tips To Ripen Your Tomatoes)

Just because the summer heat has faded, it doesn't mean that your tomato harvest has to end. Believe it or not, you can still ripen green tomatoes. Some of the tried and tested methods include pulling out the entire plant and hanging it upside down in a dry, cool area or storing them indoors wrapped with tissue paper tucked into a box or crate.

Leave your greens, root crops, and cold hardy flowers to keep harvesting and getting a few last flowers.

Overwintering and Mulching

With winter just around the corner, preparing your garden for the colder months is crucial. One such task is mulching your garden beds to avoid leaving bare soil. Mulch can help protect the soil from erosion caused by winter rains.

But don't feel like you have to leave your garden bare in the first place. I like to leave as much plant matter behind as possible to build organic matter and to leave flowers and seed heads for birds to snack on.

Composting: An Essential Garden Practice

Composting should be on every gardener's to-do list as the summer season ends. Composting can be done in two ways: cold composting and hot composting. Each method has its own advantages and can greatly benefit your garden by providing rich nutrients. Leaf mold, halfway broken down leaves, is a fantastic organic material that you can add to your garden.

Fall Bulbs: Planting for Spring Blooms

Fall is the perfect time to start thinking about spring. Planting fall bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, snowdrops, and grape hyacinths in October can give you beautiful blooms in the spring. Additionally, you can also try your hand at growing renunculus, which can bloom for up to six weeks in spring in warmer climates.

Preparing for Winter: Draining Hoses and Building New Garden Beds

Preparing your garden for the cold months ahead involves more than just planting and composting. It's also important to drain hoses to prevent them from freezing and cracking during the winter. Building new garden beds in the fall is also beneficial as it gives them time to settle before the spring planting season.

Bringing the Garden Indoors

With winter drawing near, you might want to think about ways to bring the garden indoors. Microgreens, sprouts, and indoor garden setups like an AeroGarden can allow you to continue enjoying fresh produce throughout the colder months. I went over my 6 favorite methods last week in Episode 023 if you want a few more ideas!

Autumn gardening may seem daunting, but with the right tips and techniques, you can make the most out of your garden this fall. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned gardener, these tips will help you prepare for the winter while still enjoying a bountiful harvest. So, embrace the cold and continue to nurture your green thumb, no matter the season.

Resources I mention in this episode:
Garden Planning Simplified (made by me!)
Cool Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler
Cold composting video by Huw Richards (my favorite gardening YouTuber)

📩 Questions? Email me at [email protected]

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