"Nature like an enthusiastic gardener would not resist the temptation to plant flowers everywhere" - John Muir
Ahhh, October....here in northern California, we are still wearing flip-flops but adding our trusted pullover or jacket...hanging on to what warmth comes our way.
October can be the start of the rainy season. The wind direction changes and combined with low clouds storms can form. The weather is still warm, but the nighttime and morning temperatures remind us that autumn is here. Birds begin their trip south. Monarch butterflies begin migrating and can be found over-wintering in Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove and Big Sur. Ladybeetles are found hibernating in Oak woodlands.
Warm days and cool nights still make this an ideal planting time in northern Calfirona. native plants sales during this month make it an excellent time to purchase and plant jsut before the winter rain. Annual wildflowers for winter, and spring should be sown directly in the garden after the first true rains, and seedlings should be ready to plant out.
Vegetative propagation:
Evergreen Huckleberry
Flannel Bush
Mugwort
Salvia
Sticky Monkeyflower
Pink-flowering Currant
Buckwheat
Garden Chores and Maintenance:
Set our rain gauge
Update garden records, noting successes and failures, gaps in planting, favorite varieties, planting and landscaping changes
Begin planting bulbs inside for holiday gifts
Manure soil in beds not being used for winter
Plant green manure crops
Finish harvest summer crops
Build and start a worm composting bin
Test soil before planting your winter garden
Plant bulbs for spring bloom
> Information courtesy of Marin Master Gardeners and Sunset <
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