Oct 20, 2023
The weather profile remains dry and drought conditions may continue through the fall.
Enjoy figs this month. (Photo: Nancy Devaurs)
Tasks
- Monitor rainfall and adjust water accordingly to keep soil moist for new plantings
- Put organic mulch around permanent plants to conserve water and prevent weeds
- Trees need to be deeply watered as they enter dormancy
- Mushrooms often appear in the lawn in the fall as growing conditions are favorable. If you do not like them, rake or pull them out and discard
Pruning
- Prune shrubs and trees to shape. Pruning junipers during cool weather prevents sunburn
- Deadhead and shape rose bushes to promote final fall bloom
Fertilizing
- Feed cool-season lawns with time-release granular fertilizer
- Fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to promote fall growth
Planting
- Continue staggered planting of cool-weather vegetables such as chard and spinach
- Perennials: agave, dianthus
- Bulbs, corms, tubers: brodiaea, crocus, freesia
- Fruits and vegetables: onions, parsley, radish
- Annuals: larkspur (Consolida), flowering kale, Primrose (Primula)
- Trees, shrubs, vines: Goldenchain tree (Laburnum), pomegranate (Punica)
The beautiful golden fall color of Ginko biloba. (Photo: Nancy Devaurs)
Enjoy now
- Annuals and perennials: dianthus, alyssum (Lobularia)
- Fruits and vegetables: artichokes, cauliflower, figs, grapes, kale, limes
- Trees, shrubs, vines: crape myrtle, bayberry (Berberis), beautyberry (Callicarpa)
- Fall color: maidenhair (Ginkgo biloba), goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria)
Things to ponder
Store unused fertilizers and pesticides in a dry, warm place. Pesticides should be stored in a separate, locked cabinet or container
Drought tip
Postpone unnecessary fall planting until rainfall replenishes soil moisture and supplemental watering is no longer needed