Great Lakes Gardener's October Checklist

October is one of the very affecting weeks for the Great Lakes region of the United States. Temperatures can vary anywhere from highs in the 80s to cold enough for snow. So turn on a fan or turn the heat up and think about the changes October brings to foliage and blooms, the decorating and tasks at hand, and the beauty of the colorful month.

Barbara Pintozzi

Witness fall shade. While the autumn color frequently continues into November, the big series comes in October, as shown with this sumac (Rhus copallina). Foliage’s stunning color change is the result of cool nights and bright days.Unfortunately, the autumn colors may not be as brilliant this season because of drought.

Barbara Pintozzi

Great fall color could be seen lower to the ground. Native prairie grasses achieve their summit in shades of red, yellow, purple or orange in October. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) lays off the native smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Bluebird’) here, with the annual sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) in their feet.

Barbara Pintozzi

The foliage of many perennials, such as Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ (shown), hosta, perennial geranium species and echinacea,provides a blaze of autumn color.

Barbara Pintozzi

Appreciate frost-tolerant blooms. The very first hard frost usually happens sometime in October in Great Lakes gardens. Many flowers tolerate frost (rather than some freeze) quite well, such as this little cranesbill (Geranium ‘Bob’s Blunder’). Frost-tolerant annuals comprise snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus), Diascia and petunia.

Barbara Pintozzi

While many plants nevertheless continue to blossom or even rebloom, there are new, frost-tolerant blooms out there for the October backyard, by the little, such as Allium thunbergii ‘Ozawa’, to the tall and stately …

Barbara Pintozzi

… such as the deadly but beautiful monkshood (here, Aconitum carmichaelii), frequently reaching 6 feet in height.

Barbara Pintozzi

And there is also the equally tall yet benign Siberian aster (Aster tataricus).

Barbara Pintozzi

It wouldn’t be autumn without mums. Rather than planting florists’ mums each year, plant Korean mums, such as Chrysanthemum x rubellum ‘Sheffield Pink’, that are hardy and endure for several years. Depending on the weather, they could blossom even into December.

Barbara Pintozzi

Extend backyard shade. As well as blooms, October sees the ripening of berries and seed heads. Here, the red bracts of seven son’s flower (Heptacodium miconioides) extend the series as the blooms fade.

Barbara Pintozzi

The dark reddish seed heads of Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’ (Diablo) set off the bright red of the turning leaves (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘October Skies’, in foreground). Rose buttocks, crab apples and also the fruits of Viburnum species offer bright color until they are consumed by wildlife.

Barbara Pintozzi

The native Solomon’s seal (shown here, Polygonatum commutatum) provides both brilliant berries and fall foliage, as does the red-berried Solomon’s plum (Maianthemum racemosum).

Barbara Pintozzi

Manage pests. The beauty of October gardens may divert anglers from important tasks which need to be handled now. Potato beetles are destructive bugs which damage the blooms of asters, mums and roses. Daily hand picking while deadheading helps minimize the harm.

Barbara Pintozzi

Plant and divide for spring.

October is the perfect time to divide spring-blooming wildflowers and ephemerals. Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) benefits from division and instant replanting.
Plant spring-blooming bulbs as well. Place some in containers for forcing to love early blossoms inside. Place the pots and water the bulbs each week.
Collect fallen leaves in the yard, then shred them and create a leaf-mold pile for use next summer.
Dig up dahlias and other tender bulbs for storage following frost blackens the foliage. Transfer perennials grown as a member of container plantings into the ground now to allow them to get established before winter.
Bring in tender perennials in front of a hard frost strikes.

Barbara Pintozzi

Decorate for the holidays. October provides various plant material for harvest and Halloween decorating. Pumpkins are good to use in containers and in the garden to fill empty spaces left by tender plants. Make sure you spray them and Indian corn with deer and squirrel repellant to stop them from becoming an all-you-can-eat buffet for wildlife.

Barbara Pintozzi

Grapevine wreaths adorned with berries and seed heads offer a welcoming front door touch. Jack-o’-lanterns and Halloween ornaments on front porch add a finishing touch.

Barbara Pintozzi

Enjoy seasonal shift. Keep your eyes and ears open for the migration of butterflies and birds, but don’t spend all of your time working in the yard. Be sure you get out and enjoy nature’s finery before it’s all gone.

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