By Julia Kron
1. Plant daffodils before the end of month for root development this year.
2. Tulips may be planted later as long as the ground is not solidly frozen.
3. Remove annuals if damaged by frost and put into compost. Hanging basket flowers and soil may be emptied into your compost.
4. Remove and destroy diseased plants but don’t put them into compost bins.
5. If you prefer to cut back your perennials, do so now, but do not cut back the new growth at the bottom.
6. If you don’t have a functioning compost pile, perennials may be chopped into small pieces and left at the base of the plants as mulch, which eventually will decompose helping nourish the soil.
7. Cut back iris tops to about six inches and destroy to prevent survival of borer eggs. Leaves with any types of markings should be totally removed.
8. After cutting back, cover beds with shredded leaves or compost for winter protection and enrichment of your soil for next spring.
9. If desired, leave plants with seed heads such as coneflowers uncut to be food for winter birds.
10. Stop deadheading and pruning roses. New growth may not harden off before heavy freezing but long whips may be cut back slightly.
11. To prevent new growth in shrubs, avoid pruning while still in leaf, except for dead, diseased, crossing or broken branches. Exception: spirea may be cut back severely any time now.
12. For garlic lovers, plant in the last two weeks of October.
13. Bring in houseplants, check for insects. Turn plants upside down and hose off any visible insects or eggs. Soak pot in a pail of water to allow insects in soil to float up and be removed.
14. Lift begonias, dahlias, cannas or other tender tubers after the first frost.
15. Bring mason bee houses into garage, shed, or cold cellar to protect from woodpeckers.
16. Peonies would love a dose of manure at this time.
17. Keep mowing the lawn. Long grass going into winter may harbor pests and diseases which will show up next spring.
Julia Kron is a member of the Fergus and District Horticultural Society and a Guelph-Wellington County Master Gardener.
