Jobs to do in our gardens in October for Iowa. Enjoy this as we are coming to the end of the season.

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     ​What a lovely day outside today.  For us here in North Central Iowa, another day of warm summer like weather.  Then maybe some rain.  But for sure next 10 days will be more fall like.  Sweatshirt weather for sure but that will be good.  I just can’t believe October 1.  September is a blur for me.  But each day I am getting more stronger and pain getting less. Enjoy and stay safe as fall harvest in full production. 
Here are the jobs to do in October gardens.  For me, it is moving plants back into the greenhouse that I want to keep over.  Mostly succulents which we have lots of. 
Water trees, shrubs, and evergreens until the ground freezes. Apply a layer of mulch around these plants to help reduce winter injury.
Transplant trees and rosebushes.
Finish seeding your new lawns by the middle of the month.
This is the best time to fertilize your lawn if you only do so once a year.
As long as your grass continues to grow, you can continue mowing it.
Remove weeds, debris, and dead or diseased plants, as well as plants that had disease problems this year. Insects and diseases can overwinter in these plants.
Look for slug egg masses under mulch and destroy.
Harvest any remaining vegetables sensitive to frost, included winter squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes.
Harvest orchard apples.
Prune everbearing raspberries.
Do not prune spring-flowering shrubs.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips, hyacinth, and snow drops. Consider covering with chicken wire to deter animals.
Plant garlic and horseradish.
Cut perennials to the ground.
Be sure to remove any leaves from your lawn to help reduce lawn problems; shred leaves and add to compost.
Test your garden soil and make any necessary changes to improve it for next spring.
After a frost, dig up dahlias.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/gardening/tips/IA/Mason%20City
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365