October Things to do in Your Garden

Patron of Gardeners – October 2nd is is St Francis of Assisi Day, known for his love of animals and nature.
15 Minute Gardening – Label garden hoses “Not Potable”, since the PVC stabilizer can leach into the water. Potable are available from garden stores and on-line.
Water Early and Deep – Always water early morning to let foliage dry off before the sun reaches the plant. Water beads will act as a magnifying glass, burning the foliage. Soil should be watered one inch a week or when the soil is dry more than the top inch. To check the depth, use a spade to take a narrow plug. Slow water to allow for absorption and not run-off.
Wedding- Pull or dig weeds making sure all of the root system is removed.
Saving Seeds – Save seed from your favorite annuals except hybrid varieties that will not come true or are sterile. Seed packets marked F1, are hybrids.
Spacing Bulbs – For a naturalized planting of bulbs, determine the area to be planted, throw bulbs them over your back, and plant where they landed.
Caring for dried flowers – Use spray lacquer or hair spray on dried flower to prevent shattering and as a primer before spray painting. Revive cut hydrangeas by plunging them head-first into water, also stems if possible, for about an hour.
Trees and shrubs – Rake walnuts, sweet gum, buckeye and Kentucky Coffee(our Heritage Tree) seeds before mowing as they can dull mower blades and can be a dangerous projective. The Whitehaven Welcome Center will gladly receive your buckeye seeds and Coffee tree pods to share with visitors who enjoy receiving both.
Vegetables
- Separate grocery-purchased garlic cloves that have sprouted, pot up, and snip new growth for cooking.
- For fried green tomatoes, use only hard green ones without any blush. Those that show color tend to get too soft.
Fish Tank Fertilizer – Save water from cleaning the fish tank to fertilize the garden.