New Albany Garden Center
5211 Johnstown Road New Albany, OH 43054 | p: 614-917-1020 | f: 614-917-1023
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October settles upon us with a dance of rustling leaves, cooling breezes, and the quintessential scents of autumn. As we embrace this seasonal shift, our gardens call out for dedicated attention in anticipation of the frosty days on the horizon. Our team at Oakland Nursery is delighted to share a helpful list of tasks and advice to help ensure your garden thrives and is prepared for the winter chill to return to the air.
Leaf Cleanup
Autumn’s leafy cascade can be both a gift and a task. While they lend valuable organic content for mulching or composting, they might overshadow lawns or become a refuge for pests if left unchecked. Gather up the leaves for a compost heap or use them as a nourishing mulch layer for your perennials.
Plant Spring Bulbs
This is the golden hour for planting bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and other springtime heralds. Ensure they’re placed at the right depth, which is usually three times the height of the bulb. Choose well-draining patches to prevent potential waterlogging and bulb rot. Be sure to add some compost or fertilizer to enhance your spring bloom.
Protect Fragile Plants
For those plants that flinch at the bite of cold, consider relocating them indoors or to a protective greenhouse environment. Apply a hearty mulch around semi-hardy plants to guard against early frost encounters. Consider bark guards and protection for the trees from the deer and small animals.
Lawn Care
Administer your lawn’s final seasonal trim, but steer clear of going too short. Maintaining a little length ensures endurance through the icy months. Now is also prime time for dethatching and lawn aeration, allowing the soil to breathe and soak up nutrients more effectively.
Maintenance / Cleanup Pruning
Refresh perennials that have done their time. Maintaining a few seed heads can enhance winter aesthetics and serve as a treat for our bird friends. Refrain from severe pruning, but confidently remove any unsound or diseased limbs from trees and shrubs.
Trees and Shrubs
Autumn’s gentle embrace is ideal for welcoming new trees and shrubs. The cool backdrop and periodic rains are conducive for root growth. Now is the time to add a little refresh to the garden with shrubs and trees.
Fertilizer Application
A light sprinkle of balanced fertilizer can invigorate plants, assisting them in conserving energy for their dormant spell. Though each garden has its own story and presents unique requirements, these October guidelines will help to encourage a flourishing and winter-ready haven.
Oakland INSIDE & OUT Specialty Store
5211-B Johnstown Road New Albany, OH 43054 | p: 614-573-8648
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