Fresno Gardening Green

Well, we normally start to cool off somewhat in October, but Mother Nature seems to have other ideas in mind for the first few days of this month. So, when the weather is cooler, you can fertilize your roses with a good organic fertilizer and compost.

Fall has arrived on the calendar but the summer heat continues. October is the best month to plant and transplant here in the Central Valley but once again this year we're having to postpone fall planting until daytime temperatures are consistently in the 80s.

Pick a bouquet of herbs in the early morning to retain flavor. Keep them in a vase and use them all week. Tasks Monitor soil moisture after rain and water if needed, especially for trees and shrubs. Renovate cool-season lawns remove thatch and aerate.

If you've noticed tiny, dark insects flying around your houseplants, you likely have fungus gnats. These tiny flies can be a nuisance indoors and may also damage your plants. Fungus gnats lay their eggs in moist soil and their larvae feed on plant roots and decaying organic matter.

Enjoy the last flush of blooming roses along with the bounty of the fall harvest. Tasks Adjust watering systems as weather cools. Remove and dispose of any fruit and nuts that cling to the tree. To discourage spider mites, spray hedges and shrubs with water to clean them and keep them free of dust.