October Planting and Sowing Tips - September 22nd First "Official" day of Fall

Dear Folks,

I love finding critters in my garden.  I always seem to come on them quickly - almost on my nose!  I was inspecting my Avocado Tree and noticed an off formation.  Bingo, nice Praying Mantis.

I cleared out much of my celery bed.  I am going to share a celery specific post  next, so watch for it.  If you love celery and live here in the valley this should be a must read for you.

Anyway, while getting ready  to clear the bed, I notice a volunteer Red Romaine seedling.  Some of the celery story will be about volunteer seedlings from prior seasons.  Because I keep this "greens" bed dense and well seeded, the plants throw a lot of seed at the end.

We have a lot of birds and I still have a bunch of sunflowers attracting many birds.  The Lessor Goldfinch is a frequent visitor and was lucky enough to get a picture of one of the males eating a seed.  They also "harvest" tiny bugs which live in the sunflower heads.

First Day Of FALL!

I am sure, like me, most of you will be happy to see the heat go AWAY!  In normal years I enjoy the summer and it takes all summer long to look forward to fall.  This year with the "quagmire" of life created by covid 19, some health issues in my family and the "ennui" that seems to have settled on me, I am hoping the cooler temps, and less wildfires and smoke, will bring a literal breath of fresh air.

We should have been seeing more 90s days in the last week or so but the Smoke is keeping the heat in longer.

I have started seeding in things like root vegetables and the greens bed I mentioned above.  Sowing a seed or seeds always brings me such hope and satisfaction.

October brings major sowing and perennial planting options.  Get your cool weather herbs and root vegetables started now along with the greens and plan on re-sowing repeatedly every 2-4 weeks depending on how much you like your choices.

Fruit trees are planted best in October to maximize root development during the cool months.

Plant your Garlic in October - I try for about Oct 1st but if you get the cloves planted by Oct 31 you will have enough cold soil to give the plants enough time to form good heads in spring.

Jump into your garden and feel revitalized and renewed!

October 1st is World Vegetarian Day.  You don't need to be a vegan or vegetarian to appreciate all the wonderful options from your gardens. Plant something new and find new recipes for old favorites.

 October PLANTING:

Spring!!! in the Desert - Heavy planting possibilities:

Anise
Bay, Greek (Sweet)
Beans, Fava
Beets
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage            
Cabbage, Ornamental
Caraway
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chervil
Chrysanthemum, Shungiku
Cilantro
Dill
Endive (and Chicory)
Fennel, Leaf
Fruit Trees
Garlic
Greens
Kale, Ornamental
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lavender
Lemon Grass
Lemon Verbena
Lettuce (arugula, leaf lettuce etc.)
Marjoram
Mints
Mustard
Myrtle
Onions, Green
Onions
Oregano, Greek
Oregano, Mexican
Parsley
Parsnip
Peas, English and Sugar/Snap
Potato seeds (not seed potatoes - use seeds) ("seed potatoes" or cut pieces of potato should be planted Nov 1-Jan 1)
Radishes
Rosemary
Sage
Savory
Spinach
Tarragon, Mexican
Tarragon, French
Thyme
Turnips

EDIBLE FLOWERS TO PLANT:

Calendula
Carnation (Dianthus)
Cornflower (Bachelor Buttons)
English Daisy
Evening Primrose (Oenothera Berlandieri)
Hollyhock
Jasmine Sambac (Arabian)
Johnny-Jump Up
Marigolds, including Tangerine Scented (Tagetes Lemonii), Citrus Scented (Tagetes Nelsonii)
Nasturtiums
Pansies
Primrose
Scented Geraniums
Shungiku Chrysanthemum
Snapdragons
Stocks (Matthiola)
Sweet William (Dianthus)
Sweet Alyssum
Violet
           

GARDEN TIPS for October
"Spring in the Desert" - we call fall our spring because this is when we do most of 'heavy' garden work, trees, shrubs and cool weather edibles all go in now.
    The beginning of primary perennial planting season is now through February.
    Cool weather annuals and biennials can be sown every 2-4 weeks (beginning in August) through end of February for a continuous crop through next spring.
    Garlic: Plant garlic cloves no later than October 31st to ensure full maturity of garlic heads in the spring.  Plant extra if you want ‘green garlic’ (used like scallions) through the cool months. The ‘green garlic’ can be harvested when the clove below the soil swells slightly.
    This is the beginning of bare-root planting season. Asparagus, raspberry, blackberry, grape, and strawberries may start showing up in your favorite garden nursery.
    If you have ever-bearing berry vines, cut them down to the ground after the fruit is finished. (This is easier than trying to keep track of which are the oldest canes — commercial growers use this practice.)
   
Aphids are a major problem with cabbage family - forestall infestations. Add a fingertip of Dawn to 1 quart of water. Shake, pour 1/4 cup down center of each plant once a week

Make and use a safe soap spray on aphids on other plants (the aphids like our cool nights too!).  1 teaspoon each of dawn and vegetable oil to 1 quart of water.  Spray every 5 days for a minimum of 3 repeats to keep them under control.  Neem spray is a good alternative.

Find links to my books and calendars on the side bar.

Enjoy your garden, be kind, be patient with one another, and share.  Keep all first line and first responders in your hearts.

 

-- Catherine, The Herb Lady If you enjoyed this post, please share and subscribe below by entering your email, to get all my posts!

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