Spring Last Frost

29 April / 01 May

Fall First Frost

12 Oct

Gardening

General

• If you had a real tree for Christmas, recycle it. The limbs are great for lasagna layering a garden bed.
• Get lawn mower serviced and ready for Spring. If you do it yourself, be sure to also sharpen the blades.
• Check your garden tools for any needed maintenance.
• Whilst it is easy to park in front of the fireplace, be sure to keep up the stretching and other exercises so you will be ready for the gardening season.

Other

• Dahlia - inspect stored tubers for rot. Discard any tubers which show signs of rotting.
• Clean the leaves on house plants. The days are short and the leaves need the best ability to use the available light.
• Clean up planting trays you will reuse for starting inside.
• Order any seeds you'll need.

Beekeeping

• Add food, as necessary
• Ensure openings to hives are clear
• Get equipment & hive boxes (spares) in order
• Check bee suit for any needed repairs
• Ensure there is an adequate number of boxes & frames for planned number of colonies, +20% extra.

Gardening

General

• Keep up the stretching and exercises so you will be ready for the gardening season.
• Assess your gardening clothing and tools. This is a good time to order the things you need (and didn't get for Christmas).
• Review your IPPM plan.

Plant

• Start seeds outside
  • Asclepias (Milkweed)
  • Baptisia (Wild Indigo)
  • Liatris Spicata (Dense Blazing Star)
  • Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susans)

Other

• Dahlia - inspect stored tubers for rot. Discard any tubers which show signs of rotting.
• Check trees and shrubs for any storm damage. Remove damaged limbs using good pruning techniques.
• Clean up planting trays and pots.

Beekeeping

• Test for varroa
• Ensure openings to hives are clear
• Any warm day, check on bees
• Add pollen patties

Gardening

General

• Start cleaning up the beds from debris left over from Winter.
• March is a good time to harden off perennials before planting them.

Plant

• Start seeds inside
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Chili peppers
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes
• Start seeds outside
  • Asparagus (30 Mar - 06 Apr)
  • Carrots (30 Mar - 13 Apr)
  • Peas (30 Mar - 06 Apr)
• This is a good time to plant any new trees or shrubs. Be sure to call before you dig (811).

Prune

• Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mind) - Cut back hard in mid-Spring, leaving only 3-4" of height. Also remove old stems from previous year just above the new foliage.
• Ajuga (Bugleweed, Carpet Bugle) - Remove all runners escaping the desired plant area.
• Buddleia / Buddleja (Butterfly bush) - Prune in early early Spring, cutting back to the ground.
• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Cut back in Fall or Spring to encourage blooms in next season.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - Let stand over winter to feed birds, and then shear back in the Spring. This will result in a bushier plant which will bloom longer into the season.
• Hamamelis (Witch hazel) - No pruning is required, however cultivation helps develop a fuller, rounded crown. Prune in late Winter or early Spring before new growth appears.
• Any warm day in March is a good time to prune trees and shrubs.

Fertilize

• Digitalis (Foxglove) - Fertilize with compost or manure.

Propagate

• Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mind) - Propagate by division in Spring or propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late Summer for overwintering under cover.

Other

• Dahlia - inspect stored tubers for rot. Discard any tubers which show signs of rotting.
• Fritillaria - if growing these in pots, check to see if green is showing. If it is, they are ready to be moved from the garage to the porch.
• Check trees and shrubs for any storm damage. Remove damaged limbs using good pruning techniques.

Beekeeping

• Check to ensure hives are level; adjust as needed
• Put out traps for yellow jackets and wasps
• Put out swarm trap(s)

Spring Last Frost: 29 April / 01 May

Gardening

General

• Continue cleaning up the beds from debris left over from Winter.
• Continue to harden off perennials, and annuals, before planting them.
• Re-pot any indoor plants needing it.

Plant

• Allium (Ornamental Onion) - Plant bulbs.
• Start seeds inside
  • Carrots
  • Watermelons (early Apr)
• Start seeds outside
  • Clover (mid-Apr)
• Start tubers inside
  • Dahlia - Inspect stored tubers for rot. Discard any tubers which show signs of rotting.
• April is a good time to:
  • Plant perennials.
  • Plant any new trees or shrubs. Be sure to call before you dig (811).
  • Re-seed any bare spots in your lawn

Fertilize

• Achillea (Yarrow) - Add a thin layer of compost around plants each Spring to feed.
• Buddleia / Buddleja (Butterfly bush) - Add a thin layer of compost in the Spring. Too much fertilizer promotes leaf growth over flower production.
• Buddleia / Buddleja (Butterfly bush) - Add 2-4" mulch in Spring.
• Campanula (Bellflower, Carpathian Bellflower) - Add balanced fertilizer in Spring.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed) - Fertilization is not necessary; can mix a little compost into the soil at the beginning of Spring.
• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Fertilize with well-aged compost or balanced fertilizer.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - If needed, add slow release fertilizer in the Spring. Fertilize with low all-purpose fertilizer annually or amend soil with compost to replenish soil.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed) - One application of balanced flower fertilizer in Spring.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Fertilize in Spring with ½" of compost. Do not overfeed as it decreases blooms.
• Hosta - Fertilize by adding a healthy layer of compost to soil in Spring.
• Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) -Fertilize yearly with compost or other organic materials.
• Lirope muscari - Feed with slow-release shrub/tree fertilizer or organic plant food.
• Lobelia (Cardinal Flower) - Add compost.
• Lysimachia (Lance-leaved Loosestrife) - Add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
• Monarda (Bee Balm) - Fertilize with balanced, 10-10-10 fertilizer. Do not over-fertilize as this will reduce flowering.
• Panicum (Switch Grass) - Fertilize just before new growth. However, once established, rarely needs additional feeding.
• Penstemon (Beardtongue) - Apply 1-2" mulch or compost annually.
• Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage, Turkish Sage) - Feed with mature compost after cutting back.
• Phlox - Feed Phlox in the spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to promote strong growth and plentiful blooms.
• Rosa - Apply fertilizer per instructions on 15 April
• Brambles
• Fruit Trees
• Grapes (10-10-10 or 10-6-4)
• Trees

Prune

• Aster (Aster, New England Aster) - cut back hard to 1-2" above ground.
• Caryopteris (Bluebeard) - Prune in Spring down to where new growth is sprouting.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - Divide coneflowers (every 2-3 years)
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Trim back battered foliage.
• Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) - Trim foliage a few inches above the ground before new growth emerges.
• Lavendar - Prune to shape; remove dead parts.
  • After 1st season - Prune new spring growth (about ⅓ of green stalks)
  • Every 3 years - Shear to ~8" from ground to control plant size & promote new growth.
• Lirope muscari (Big Blue, Big Blue Lilyturf) - Shear foliage back to the ground before growth begins.
• Matteuccia (Fern, King Ostrich Fern) - Remove the fronds to clear way for new growth.
• Monarda (Bee Balm) - Cut bee balm down to a few inches, or can leave seed heads on over the Winter to provide bird snacks.
• Panicum (Switch Grass) - Cut foliage to a few inches above the ground.
• Penstemon (Beardtongue) - Once plants have died to the ground, cut back to about 4" above the ground, or can leave for winter interest and cut back in the Spring before new growth starts.
• Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage, Turkish Sage) - Cut back to just above the ground.
• Phlox - Cut back your Phlox to ground level in late autumn or early spring to help rejuvenate the plant.
• Rosa - Prune to greeen wood
• Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) - prune back to ??
• April is also a good time to prune trees and shrubs (before the buds develop or plants begin leaving out).

Propagate

• Achillea (Yarrow) - Propagate by division in Spring; Divide plants every 3-5 years.
• Aster (Aster, New England Aster) -Divide in mid-Spring
• Astilbe arendsii 'Erika' (False Spirea, False Goat's Beard) - divide ~every 4 years in Spring or Fall to assure the maximum number of blooms.
• Astilbe chinensis 'Visions' (False Spirea, False Goat's Beard) - divide ~every 2-3 years in Spring to assure the maximum number of blooms.
• Dianthus (Carnation) - Divide every few years in early Spring or when the centers start to die out.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - Divide every 2-3 years to maintain health and promote flowering. Dig up the plant & carefully separate the root clump into several smaller pieces.
• Eutrochium (Joe Pye Weed) - Divide the plants in Fall as they go dormant, or in the Spring just as shoots first appear.
• Penstemon (Beardtongue) - Dig up and divide every 3-4 years. This stimulates healthy new growth.
• Penstemon (Russian Sage, Salvia) - Cut plants almost to the ground in late Winter, or early Spring as soon as new growth appears.
• Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage, Turkish Sage) - Divide after 10-15 years.
• Phlox - Divide the plants every 2-3 years in early spring to maintain vigor and control their spread.

Insect & Disease Control

• Rosa - Spray for fungus and insects; repeat every 7-10 days until Columbus Day

Other

• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Flower spikes are hollow, so tall varieties need support.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed) - Remove hay.
• Liatris (Gayfeather)
  • Rich soils could cause floppy stalks that need staking.
  • Clean away soggy garden debris before new growth begins.
• Lobelia (Cardinal Flower) - Mulch around base of plant to retain moisture.
• Matteuccia (Fern, King Ostrich Fern) - During 1st year, fern benefits from protective layer of mulch.
• Rosa - Remove Winter cover
• Lawn soil testing is recommended (so that you'll know how to fertilize in May)

Beekeeping

• Start inspections (weather permitting)
• Replace old frames
• Ensure adequate supply of honey items (jars, lids, labels, etc.)
• Feed hives, as necessary (1:1 sugar water ratio)

Spring Last Frost: 29 April / 01 May

Gardening

General

• Look at dividing or moving any perennials which are getting too big for their britches.

Harden-off Outside (after last frost)

• Asparagus
• Dahlia
• Tomatoes

Plant

• Start seeds inside
  • Beans
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Squash
• Start seeds outside
  • Bush Beans (early May)
  • Coneflowers
  • Cucumbers
  • Foxglove
  • Lavendar
  • Squash
  • Summer Squash
  • Sunflowers
  • Watermelons
  • Zinnias
  • Zucchini
• Move outside & plant (after hardening off is completed)
  • Asparagus
  • Dahlia - Be sure to stake them when planting into the garden.
  • Tomatoes - Be sure to stake or trellis them when planting into the garden.

Deadhead

• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Prune back to healthy basal leaves just after blooming. Can be cut back to 1/2 their height. Only remove 1/3 of living stems at one time.
• Dianthus (Carnation) - Deadhead flowers when spent to prolong flowering.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed) - Pinching in Spring to encourage shorter, stronger, sturdy plants.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Prune flowers after spent to encourage leaf production and help ensure repeated blooming all Summer and into Fall.

Fertilize

• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Fertilize monthly during growing season.
• Athyrium niponicum var pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) - Work organic soil amendments into soil occasionally (including manure tea feedings)
• Rosa - Apply fertilizer per instructions at end of month
• Fertilize the lawn.

Propagate

• Campanula (Bellflower, Carpathian Bellflower) - Plant can be invasive; it should be divided every 3-5 years to control spreading. Divide in Spring or Fall.

Insect & Disease Control

• Rosa - Spray for fungus; repeat every 7-10 days until Columbus Day
• Rosa - Spray for insects as needed

Other

• Rosa - begin watering weekly at 1” / week
• This is a good time to de-thatch or core aerate your lawn.

Beekeeping

• Ensure adequate space to help deter swarming
• Feed hives, as necessary (1:1 sugar water ratio)
• Split colonies if desired
• Test for varroa

Gardening

General

• Stake any plants which will need support.

Plant

• Move Chili Peppers outside (if quite warm)

Deadheading

• Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mind) - Cut down the stem to just above a pair of leaves which shows two new leaf growths.
• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Prune back to healthy basal leaves just after blooming. Can be cut back to 1/2 their height. Only remove 1/3 of living stems at one time.
• Athyrium niponicum var pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) - Trim dead or diseased fronds during the growing season.
• Athyrium filix-femina (Lady in Red Northern Lady Fern') - Trim dead or diseased fronds during the growing season.
• Buddleia / Buddleja (Butterfly bush) - Deadhead spent flowers so seeds don't spread. Labelled an invasive species in U.S. When deadheading, cut above second set of leaves.
• Caryopteris (Bluebeard) - Flowers on new shoots; Deadhead spent flowers.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed) - Deadhead spent flowers, removing the bud's stem.
• Dahlia - Remove spent blooms regularly to promote continued blooming and prevent the plant from expending energy to seed production.
• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Find axil where branches form off the main stem & remove center flower spike.
• Dianthus (Carnation) - Deadhead flowers when spent to prolong flowering.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - Remove spent flowers and cut back the stems to encourage further blooms.
• Eryngium (Miss Willmott's Ghost, Sea Holly) - Deadhead to preserve a neat appearance and encourage new blooms.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed) - Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut flower stalks down to foliage.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Prune flowers after spent to encourage leaf production and help ensure repeated blooming all Summer and into Fall.
• Hosta - clip flower stalks after flowers fade.
• Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) - When towers begin to fade, cut away stem about ½" below flowers.
• Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) - Remove spent blooms throughout the growing season.
• Liatris (Gayfeather) - may encourage blooms, but do not deadhead if you want the plants to reseed. If deadheading, cut flower stalks off near ground level or leave in place over Winter to benefit Winter-feeding birds.
• Monarda (Bee Balm) - Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering & prevent self-seeding (if desired).
• Penstemon (Beardtongue) - Snip off faded blooms individually, or wait until the blooming period is over. When deadheading, remove the entire flower stalk down to the base of the plant.
• Phlox - Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a second bloom.

Prune

• Aster (Aster, New England Aster) - Pinch back stems before midsummer to promote bushiness; this produces a greater number of flowers, and controls the plant height (to avoid flopping over).
• Lysimachia (Lance-leaved Loosestrife) - Most types spread aggressively; regular thinning is needed to keep the plants under control.

Fertilize

• Amsonia (Blue Star) - After flowering, spread at least 3" of organic mulch around plants.
• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Fertilize monthly during growing season.
• Dahlia - Fertilize monthly using a balanced mix (12-12-12, 16-11-13, etc.) or Miracle-Gro spray during the growing season.

Propagate

• Coneflowers (stem cuttings)
• Lavendar (softwood cuttings)

Harvest

• Lavendar - Once flowers have fully opened, and before they wilt.

Beekeeping

• Remove traps for yellow jackets & wasps

Gardening

Plant

• Start seeds inside
  • Beets (Fall crop)
  • Broccoli (Fall crop)
  • Spinach (Fall crop)

Deadheading

• Achillea (Yarrow) - Deadhead flowers when they start to fade in mid-Summer, trimming the stem back to the base of the flower.
• Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mind) - Cut down the stem to just above a pair of leaves which shows two new leaf growths.
• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Prune back to healthy basal leaves just after blooming. Can be cut back to 1/2 their height. Only remove 1/3 of living stems at one time.
• Athyrium niponicum var pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) - Trim dead or diseased fronds during the growing season.
• Athyrium filix-femina (Lady in Red Northern Lady Fern') - Trim dead or diseased fronds during the growing season.
• Buddleia / Buddleja (Butterfly bush) - Deadhead spent flowers so seeds don't spread. Labelled an invasive species in U.S. When deadheading, cut above second set of leaves.
• Caryopteris (Bluebeard) - Flowers on new shoots; Deadhead spent flowers.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed) - Deadhead spent flowers, removing the bud's stem.
• Dahlia - Remove spent blooms regularly to promote continued blooming and prevent the plant from expending energy to seed production.
• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Find axil where branches form off the main stem & remove center flower spike.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - Remove spent flowers and cut back the stems to encourage further blooms.
• Eryngium (Miss Willmott's Ghost, Sea Holly) - Deadhead to preserve a neat appearance and encourage new blooms.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed) - Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut flower stalks down to foliage.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Prune flowers after spent to encourage leaf production and help ensure repeated blooming all Summer and into Fall.
• Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) - When towers begin to fade, cut away stem about ½" below flowers.
• Lavendar - Remove faded flower stalks to promote continued blooming.
• Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) - Remove spent blooms throughout the growing season.
• Liatris (Gayfeather) - may encourage blooms, but do not deadhead if you want the plants to reseed. If deadheading, cut flower stalks off near ground level or leave in place over Winter to benefit Winter-feeding birds.
• Monarda (Bee Balm) - Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering & prevent self-seeding (if desired).
• Penstemon (Beardtongue) - Snip off faded blooms individually, or wait until the blooming period is over. When deadheading, remove the entire flower stalk down to the base of the plant.
• Phlox - Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a second bloom.
• Zinnia - Regular deadheading of spent flowers can promote continuous blooming throughout the season.

Prune

• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Once initial bloom ends, cut back to 2" above ground to encourage second bloom.
• Dianthus (Carnation) - After flowering in late spring, the spent flowers should be cut back. this will encourage sporadic repeat bloom later in the season. This will also help maintain a tight, compact mound.
• Lysimachia (Lance-leaved Loosestrife) - Most types spread aggressively; regular thinning is needed to keep the plants under control.
• Nepeta (Catmint) - Prune back hard to encourage a second set of blooms.
• Rosa - Remove spindly growth, especially from the centre of the plant

Fertilize

• Allium (Ornamental Onion) - Add balanced fertilizer when plants first start flowering.
• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Fertilize monthly during growing season.
• Dahlia - Fertilize monthly using a balanced mix (12-12-12, 16-11-13, etc.) or Miracle-Gro spray during the growing season.
• Rosa - Apply fertilizer per instructions

Propagate

• Butterfly Bush (softwood cuttings)

Insect & Disease Control

• Rosa - Spray for fungus; repeat every 7-10 days until Columbus Day
• Rosa - Spray for insects as needed

Beekeeping

• (nothing)

Gardening

General

• Reduce any fertilizer applications to perennials to allow them time to get ready for Winter.

Plant

• Start seeds inside
  • Carrots (Fall crop)
  • Kale (Fall crop)
  • Lettuce (Fall crop)
  • Peas (Fall crop)

Deadheading

• Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mind) - Cut down the stem to just above a pair of leaves which shows two new leaf growths.
• Ajuga (Bugleweed, Carpet Bugle) - cut down to the bottom of the flower stem.
• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Prune back to healthy basal leaves just after blooming. Can be cut back to 1/2 their height. Only remove 1/3 of living stems at one time.
• Athyrium niponicum var pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) - Trim dead or diseased fronds during the growing season.
• Athyrium filix-femina (Lady in Red Northern Lady Fern') - Trim dead or diseased fronds during the growing season.
• Buddleia / Buddleja (Butterfly bush) - Deadhead spent flowers so seeds don't spread. Labelled an invasive species in U.S. When deadheading, cut above second set of leaves.
• Caryopteris (Bluebeard) - Flowers on new shoots; Deadhead spent flowers.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed) - Deadhead spent flowers, removing the bud's stem.
• Dahlia - Remove spent blooms regularly to promote continued blooming and prevent the plant from expending energy to seed production.
• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Find axil where branches form off the main stem & remove center flower spike.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - Remove spent flowers and cut back the stems to encourage further blooms.
• Eryngium (Miss Willmott's Ghost, Sea Holly) - Deadhead to preserve a neat appearance and encourage new blooms.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed) - Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut flower stalks down to foliage.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Prune flowers after spent to encourage leaf production and help ensure repeated blooming all Summer and into Fall.
• Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) - When towers begin to fade, cut away stem about ½" below flowers.
• Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) - Remove spent blooms throughout the growing season.
• Liatris (Gayfeather) - may encourage blooms, but do not deadhead if you want the plants to reseed. If deadheading, cut flower stalks off near ground level or leave in place over Winter to benefit Winter-feeding birds.
• Monarda (Bee Balm) - Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering & prevent self-seeding (if desired).
• Penstemon (Beardtongue) - Snip off faded blooms individually, or wait until the blooming period is over. When deadheading, remove the entire flower stalk down to the base of the plant. Do not prune after 1st September as pruning stimulates new growth.
• Phlox - Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a second bloom.
• Zinnia - Regular deadheading of spent flowers can promote continuous blooming throughout the season.

Prune

• Ajuga (Bugleweed, Carpet Bugle) - Remove all runners escaping the desired plant area.
• Lysimachia (Lance-leaved Loosestrife) - Most types spread aggressively; regular thinning is needed to keep the plants under control.

Fertilize

• Aquilegia flabellata (Columbine, Dwarf Columbine) - Fertilize monthly during growing season.
• Dahlia - Fertilize monthly using a balanced mix (12-12-12, 16-11-13, etc.) or Miracle-Gro spray during the growing season.

Insect & Disease Control

• Monarda (Bee Balm) - If badly affected by powdery mildew late in the season, to the point of unsightliness, cut stems back to ground.

Beekeeping

• Feed hives, as necessary (2:1 sugar water ratio, or better yet, Mann Lake’s Pro-Sweet)

Gardening

General

• Stop any fertilizer applications.

Plant

• September is a good time to plant perennial plants.

Collect Seeds

• Antirrhinum (Snap Dragon) - Harvest the dried seed pods once they rattle when shaken. If the seeds don't rattle inside the pod, they are not dried enough. Crack open the seed pod and remove the seeds for storage.
• Coreopsis - Start harvesting the seeds when the heads are brown but still closed. Once the dead heads open, the seeds will disperse. Remove the seed heads and crush them between your fingers to get to the seeds.
• Cosmos - Remove the seed heads when they are brown & dry, and easily snap off the stem. Crack the dead pod open and remove the seeds.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - These are best harvested by shaking the flower head inside a bag. If removing seeds by rubbing your hand across the flower head, be sure to wear gloves as the flower head is prickly.
• Helianthus (Sunflower) - If you wish to prevent wildlife from harvesting the developing seeds from wildlife, cover the spent flowers with paper bags or remove them early and hang them indoors to dry. When they are dry, remove the seeds by hand and rinse them before laying them out to dry and store.
• Ipomoea (Morning Glory) - These seeds are in the small round pods after the flowers have died. You will need to crack open the pods after they are dried up and hard. Black seeds are inside and are easy to remove. Be sure the seeds are dry before storing them.
• Nasturtium (see Herbs) - Harvest the dried, tan, shriveled up peas. They should fall right into your hand, so dump them into a bag. They should not require picking them off: if they do, they are not ready for harvesting yet.
• Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) - These seeds are small, so shake the flower head inside a bag. If desired, you can pick out the non-seed stuff that also shook out, but it isn't that important. You can save the seeds for an starting inside, or you can shake the flowers around the flower so that the seeds sow directly into the ground.

Deadheading

• Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mind) - Leave stems standing over the Winter.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - Remove spent flowers and cut back the stems to encourage further blooms.

Prune

• Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Flower) - Cut plant to the ground in Fall after stems dry out and turn brown.
• Astilbe arendsii 'Erika' (False Spirea, False Goat's Beard) - divide ~every 4 years in Spring or Fall to assure the maximum number of blooms.
• Dianthus (Carnation) - In Fall, prune back the plant until 1-2" of stem remains above the soil.
• Eryngium (Miss Willmott's Ghost, Sea Holly) - Prune plant near ground level @ the end of the growing season.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Remove yellow or dead leaves & spent stems.
• Lavendar - Prune to encourage good circulation (before 1st frost)
• Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) - Once foliage begins to fade, prune the foliage to near ground level.
• Lirope muscari - Trim off dead, browned leaves.

Fertilize

• Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mind) - Compost around plant in Fall to feed.
• Aster (Aster, New England Aster) - fertilize with YumYum mix & good quality compost.

Insect & Disease Control

• Rosa - Spray for fungus; repeat every 7-10 days until Columbus Day
• Rosa - Spray for insects as needed

Other

• Matteuccia (Fern, King Ostrich Fern) - As colder months loom, fronds start to change color. Leave them to die back naturally, or trim to tidy the garden.

Beekeeping

• Merge small colonies into larger ones
• Remove all honey supers & queen excluders
• Feed hives, as necessary (2:1 sugar water ratio, or better yet, Mann Lake’s Pro-Sweet)
• Treat hives for varroa. Recommend Formic Pro.

Fall First Frost: 12 Oct

Gardening

Plant

• Garlic
• October is a good time to plant perennial plants.

Collect Seeds

• Antirrhinum (Snap Dragon) - Harvest the dried seed pods once they rattle when shaken. If the seeds don't rattle inside the pod, they are not dried enough. Crack open the seed pod and remove the seeds for storage.
• Coreopsis - Start harvesting the seeds when the heads are brown but still closed. Once the dead heads open, the seeds will disperse. Remove the seed heads and crush them between your fingers to get to the seeds.
• Cosmos - Remove the seed heads when they are brown & dry, and easily snap off the stem. Crack the dead pod open and remove the seeds.
• Echinacea (Coneflower) - These are best harvested by shaking the flower head inside a bag. If removing seeds by rubbing your hand across the flower head, be sure to wear gloves as the flower head is prickly.
• Helianthus (Sunflower) - If you wish to prevent wildlife from harvesting the developing seeds from wildlife, cover the spent flowers with paper bags or remove them early and hang them indoors to dry. When they are dry, remove the seeds by hand and rinse them before laying them out to dry and store.
• Nasturtium (see Herbs) - Harvest the dried, tan, shriveled up peas. They should fall right into your hand, so dump them into a bag. They should not require picking them off: if they do, they are not ready for harvesting yet.
• Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) - These seeds are small, so shake the flower head inside a bag. If desired, you can pick out the non-seed stuff that also shook out, but it isn't that important. You can save the seeds for an starting inside, or you can shake the flowers around the flower so that the seeds sow directly into the ground.

Prune

• Asclepias incarnata (Soulmate) - Remove dead stalks after the plant dies back in the winter, but mark the location.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed) - Prune back to the ground after the season is completed.
• Digitalis (Foxglove) - Cutback to ?
• Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) - Cut back just above ground level in late Winter to remove dead foliage.
• Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) - Remove all foliage down to the base of the plant.
• Lirope muscari (Big Blue, Big Blue Lilyturf) - Shear foliage back to the ground before growth begins.
• Lysimachia (Lance-leaved Loosestrife) - Goes dormant during the winter; at that point, cut back the plant close to the ground.
• Matteuccia (Fern, King Ostrich Fern) - Remove the fronds to clear way for new growth.
• Monarda (Bee Balm) - Cut bee balm down to a few inches, or can leave seed heads on over the Winter to provide bird snacks.
• Nepeta (Catmint) - Cut back to 2-3" off the ground.
• Panicum (Switch Grass) - Cut foliage to a few inches above the ground.
• Penstemon (Beardtongue) - Once plants have died to the ground, cut back to about 4" above the ground, or can leave for winter interest and cut back in the Spring before new growth starts.
• Penstemon (Russian Sage, Salvia) - Cut plants almost to the ground in late Winter, or early Spring as soon as new growth appears.
• Phlox - Cut back your Phlox to ground level in late autumn or early spring to help rejuvenate the plant.
• Rhamnus (Buckthorn Bush) - May be pruned in late fall to remove dead or broken branches.
• Rosa - stop deadheading roses to prepare them for Winter
• Tricyrtis (Toad Lily) - Cut back old stems as plants die back for Winter
• Brambles

Prepare for Winter

• Amsonia (Blue Star) - Cut back and cover well.
• Campanula (Bellflower, Carpathian Bellflower) - Mulch with organic matter if hard freeze is expected.
• Caryopteris (Bluebeard) - Dies back in winter (zones 5 & 6). Mulch to protect over wintering.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed) - Add 2-3" mulch to protect over Winter.
• Dahlia - Remove tubers from the ground and store them for winter.
• Delosperma (Iceplant) - Mulch with dry mulch, such as straw, to keep dry in Winter. Let Ice Plant dry out before Winter.
• Delphinium (Larkspur) - Cut back in Fall or Spring to encourage blooms in next season.
• Dianthus (Carnation) - In Fall, prune back the plant until 1-2" of stem remains above the soil. Cover with frost blanket to protect when under 40°.
• Digitalis (Foxglove) - Mulch to protect the crown of the plant.
• Eryngium (Miss Willmott's Ghost, Sea Holly) - Mulch with pine needles.
• Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) - Cover with mulch to overwinter.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed) - Cover with 6" of hay over mulch. Remove this in the Spring.
• Heuchera (Coral Bells) - Mulch to prevent the crown from heaving.
• Hosta - Cut plants back to ground. Clean away the dead foliage after frost to prevent insect problems. Cover with mulch to over-winter.
• Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) - Winterize by covering the crowns with mulch.
• Lavendar - Protect for over wintering with a thick layer of mulch until Spring.
• Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) - Cover with an extra layer of mulch to protect for Winter.
• Liatris (Gayfeather) Do not mulch over Winter; to avoid wet Winter soil.
• Lirope muscari (Big Blue, Big Blue Lilyturf) - with leaves during intense cold snaps.
• Lobelia (Cardinal Flower) - Add compost.
• Monarda (Bee Balm) - In extreme cold, mulch crown to protect the roots.
• Nepeta (Catmint) - Mulch to protect against frost.

Propagate

• Allium (Ornamental Onion) - Divide plant's bulbs.
• Campanula (Bellflower, Carpathian Bellflower) - Plant can be invasive; it should be divided every 3-5 years to control spreading. Divide in Spring or Fall.
• Eutrochium (Joe Pye Weed) - Divide the plants in Fall as they go dormant, or in the Spring just as shoots first appear.
• Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) - Can be divided after 2 years to reinvigorate the plant.
• Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) - Divide plants every few years to extend the lifespan.
• Panicum (Switch Grass) - Clump division recommended every few years.

Insect & Disease Control

• Rosa - Discontinue spraying for fungus and insects

Other

• Rosa - discontinue watering
• Compost leaves & dead plants.
• Open garden beds for next year.
• Plant cover crops.
• Take soil samples. The link to Franklin County’s information about soil sample testing
• Remove & winterize rain barrels.  Be sure to clean them before putting them into storage.
• Disconnect & store hoses for the winter.
• Remove pond fountain by month’s end.

Beekeeping

• Treat hives for varroa. Recommend ApiVar.

Gardening

General

• Assess your gardening clothing and tools. You might want to add some items to your Christmas wish list.

Plant

• Plant outside
  • Asclepias (Milkweed)
  • Baptisia (Wild Indigo)
  • Liatris Spicata (Dense Blazing Star)
  • Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
  • November is a good time to plant bulbs (between Halloween and Thanksgiving). Be sure the soil is below 50° F so that the plant does not start growing just before it gets really cold.

Prune

• Eutrochium (Joe Pye Weed)
• Rosa - Prune plants down to 30&dquo; tall to prevent whipping in Winter wind (except for climbers and large shrubs)

Prepare for Winter

• Rosa - Cover base of roses with mulch, leaves, or topsoil

Other

• Compost leaves & dead plants
• Open garden beds for next year
• Plant cover crops
• Take soil samples
• Apply lime or sulfur to set soil pH
• Dahlia - inspect stored tubers for rot. Discard any tubers which show signs of rotting.

Beekeeping

• Check hives every 2 weeks for food status. Feed hives as necessary. Recommend AP23 or HiveAlive Fondant
• Insulate hives & Install wind breaks using straw bales. Get bales from Riley Hall.
• Install quilt boxes

Gardening

General

• If you haven't done it already, clean up and sharpen tools. Ensure metal surfaces have a thin layer of camellia oil.

Other

• Dahlia - inspect stored tubers for rot. Discard any tubers which show signs of rotting.

Beekeeping

• Remove any remaining treatments on a warm day
• Check hives every 2 weeks for food status. Feed hives as necessary. Recommend AP23 or HiveAlive Fondant.
• Order any packages of bees needed for the next year
• Order honey items needed (jars, lids, labels, gates, gaskets, etc.)

About this Site

eMail comments to me at GardeningBoK @ Gmail.com.