Leave the leaves, plant your garlic, and move your perennials this month, says Marianne Lepa
In October, we witness nature slowing down and preparing for the winter ahead. Flowers go to seed, foliage dies back, deciduous trees turn gorgeous shades of yellow, orange and red as the green chlorophyll breaks down.
Hormones triggered by dwindling daylight cause plants to store carbohydrates in roots so there is energy to start again come spring. Water in trunks and stems is leached from cells stored in the empty space between the cells to protect them. The water is flooded with sugars and proteins to act as a natural antifreeze.
Gardeners too, are making their last harvests and putting food away in pantries and freezers to enjoy in the dark months ahead.
This particular October is municipal election month in Ontario. We are in a serious climate crisis and policy changes have to come from all levels of government. I urge you to get out and vote this month. And I urge you to vote for the candidates who have made the environment a priority in their campaign. Remember that deeds speak louder than words when researching your candidate. Talk to your friends about your climate priorities and the candidates that reflect them.
Leave the leaves
There’s a meme going round on social media that says: “You know leaves turn into soil, right? They don’t break into your house and drink your wine or anything.”
That meme makes me laugh every time. Some people do treat fallen leaves as if they were muggers or pickpockets that need to be run out of town. I once saw a man with a leaf blower chase a single leaf all the way across a parking lot.
So no, leaves won’t attack you or cause property damage. In fact, they’re more likely to create property benefits for you and for the small creatures that keep this planet running.
Fallen leaves provide insulated shelter for beneficial insect cocoons and bumblebees, as well as small animals such as toads. Overwintering birds rummage through leaf litter looking for food when snow cover allows.
In spring, like the meme says, earthworms and soil organisms break down leaves into organic matter returning vital nutrients to the earth. A layer of leaves is the best kind of mulch protecting soil from freeze/thaw cycles and erosion. On top of all that, they suppress weeds too.
Most turf grass experts say that a thick layer of leaves should not be left on lawns. A light coverage is fine, but a thick layer will suffocate grass and possibly introduce fungal disease. Instead, rake those leaves into garden beds or create a pile in an out of the way spot where nature can feed her insects and build biodiversity in your yard.
What to plant this month
Cold soil is good for spring bulbs and transplanting perennials. But most things need 4-6 weeks to settle in and grow some roots before the ground freezes. Generally in Collingwood, the ground won’t freeze solid until December. But this El Niño will disrupt normal patterns. In eastern Canada we are trending towards a cooler than normal fall so far. But it’s unclear if that pattern will continue through December.
Dividing perennials and transplanting can continue this month, but should be finished by the end of October. Ornamentals that can be divided in fall include: hostas, daylilies, siberian iris, peonies, bleeding hearts, shasta daisies, coneflowers and black-eyed susans.
Online orders of spring flowering bulbs will be coming by post this month, You can plant them as soon as they arrive. Daffodils can be planted right up until the soil freezes, but most other spring bulbs should be planted no later than the end of month. Garden Design has a useful guide to planting spring flowering bulbs
Between Thanksgiving and Halloween is the time to plant garlic and shallots. They also need time to grow roots before the ground freezes and will need mulch to protect them through the winter. Dave’s Garden has tips for planting garlic and shallots.
Winter preparation
Wildflower seeds heads are natural bird feeders that provide nutritious fats and proteins that help keep birds warm in the coldest nights. Leave your seed heads standing to nurture the birds and also provide winter interest in the garden. You can stake and tie them for appearance sake if you wish.
Smooth and panicle type hydrangeas can be pruned now. The flower heads make wonderful dried arrangements indoors. The Savvy Gardening blog has a guide to pruning hydrangeas by flower type.
Herbacious and ITOH peonies need to be cut back to the ground and the foliage removed from the bed to reduce the threat of disease. Tree peonies, however, are pruned in spring after flowering, but fallen foliage should be removed before winter.
Freezing and thawing water can damage garden decor and equipment. Before there’s a freeze, be sure to drain and clean birdbaths and hoses. Don’t forget to empty water from any self watering devices and from garden ornaments that may have nooks where rainwater could pool. Store these items so that they won’t collect snow or rain that could freeze inside them.
As of Oct. 15, Environment Canada considers Central Ontario (including Simcoe County) to be out of the growing season and will no longer issue frost warnings. Keep an eye on the overnight weather if you are trying to coax a little more out of your tenders. The three indicators of frost are: temperatures of 6C or less and a clear sky and no wind. If all three are predicted, then frost is likely.
El Niño update
Signs continue to point to an El Niño stronger than any ever recorded. One of those signs has been no hurricanes in the Atlantic so far this season while there has been a greater than normal number of typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. Hurricane Polo along the Mexican coast grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in 24 hours. It created 15 foot waves along coastal areas of Mexico and caused seven deaths.
According to The Guardian, there is considerable concern for “an ocean phenomenon known as a Kelvin wave that could raise sea levels along the California coastline by up to a foot, as scientists say El Niño is supercharging the threat of storm surges and flooding in the coming months.”
Thinking ahead to the next growing season, gardeners need to prepare for extreme heat events and long periods of drought. We can also expect severe thunderstorms and hail resulting from the heat and the potential will be high for damaging tornadoes.
Over the winter, I’ll discuss some ways to get your vegetable and ornamental gardens through the summer and protect them from the effects of this El Niño.
Collingwood Garden Club Events in October
The Collingwood Garden Club meets again on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Our speakers this month are Paul and Lorraine Irwin of Pure Music Garlic in Meaford. They will tell us about their adventures in garlic growing, discuss how to grow garlic and give us tips on creating condiments and seasonings using the garlic you have grown.
The club meets at Trinity United Church, 140 Maple Street. Parking and entrance is at the rear of the church from Beech Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the talk begins at 7:30 p.m. Contact [email protected] for more information. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members.
Marianne Lepa is a Master Gardener based in Collingwood, Ont. and member of the board for the Collingwood Garden Club.
Dining and Cooking