October gardens

In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener

     October’s bright blue weather arrived right on cue.  With a good stretch of nice weather in the forecast, farmers should make some headway in harvesting and gardeners may get some work accomplished.
     I am really hoping to get some perennials divided and re-planted in the next week.  It is a good time to dig peonies and divide them.  If you are not digging them, it is time to cut off this year’s foliage.  Peony foliage often has black spot or other fungal diseases.  Such conditions are rarely fatal, but they are unsightly.  That is the reason I do not put the peony foliage in the compost pile.  I have an area at the edge of the woods where I dispose of such foliage, but you may want to burn it or bag it and dispose of it in the trash.  Getting rid of the diseased foliage is the first step in preventing future infestations.
     If you are dividing peonies, clean the soil off the roots.  Use a sharp knife to cut the roots, making sure that each section has at least two “eyes” or growth spots.  Choose a new home in an area without weeds, or dig out the weeds as best you can.  Plant the roots so that the eyes are just about two inches deep.  If you wish to mulch peonies, you may want to adjust the planting depth to account for the mulch.  Roots that are too deep will not produce flowers.
     It is also a good time to plant other perennials, shrubs and trees.  Hostas, daylilies and other perennials should be divided every three years or so.  Simply plant the roots back at the same depth they were growing.  You may have several new plants to put in new locations or share with friends.  Nurseries and garden centers will soon be preparing for the winter, so you may get some real bargains.  Be wary about buying damaged plants.  One may easily introduce diseases into a landscape with new plants.
     I sometimes find bargain plants but do not have the spot ready for planting, or I want to observe the plant for a year before putting it in the garden.  Hostas and daylilies will likely survive the winter in the nursery pots, but many other perennials are not as hardy and need to get into the ground.  I have an area set aside for such plants.  It is not intended to be a permanent home, but I can watch a plant for a year or two before making up my mind where I want it to go.  I use a different method with trees.  I dig a hole and place the pot and all in it.  The tree should be kept at the same depth, but the added insulation will allow it to survive the winter and this makes it easier to get the tree dug up and ready to go into its permanent home next spring.
     Early October is also the best time of the year to plant a new lawn or to over-seed a lawn.  Prepare the area so the seed will make good contact with the soil.  If you are adding to an existing lawn, you may wish to use a power seeder to ensure the seed is getting into the soil.  Water the newly-planted lawn and keep the area moist until the seed germinates.  A light covering of straw or other seeding mulch will help to keep the ground evenly moist.  Wait until the grass is about four inches tall before giving it a cut.  Do not cut much!  The grass needs to develop good roots to survive.  
     It is also a good time to apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer to existing lawns.  This will encourage good root growth without making the grass put on too much top growth.  
     There are many other jobs that I need to do during this wonderful weather, but the most important is to take a while each day to just soak in the beauty.  It is perfect weather to sit in the moon garden and watch the sun set over the cliff.  October’s bright blue weather also offers some great sunsets.