October 2003

Edible

Prepare for frost. The average date of first frost is around October 10-15. Cover plants with boxes, cloth, old sheets, tarp, newspaper or floating row covers. Floating row covers will protect plants down to 28 degrees farenhient.

Remove all the plants from the vegetable garden after a killing frost. Spread a two to three inch layer of organic matter over the garden and till or dig in. Doing this in the fall will allow the organic matter to decompose and the garden will be ready for planting in the spring.

Start a compost pile. Use leaves and green plant material from the garden.

Plant lettuce as a temporary edible green groundcover. Lettuce 'Black Seeded Simpson' and lettuce 'Red Sails ' will germinate within three to four days of seeding and will provide color in the garden after everything else has been killed by frost. Mix the two varieties together for a colorful edible combination.

Save tomato seeds from non-hybrid or heirloom varieties. Seeds from hybrids will not produce plants like themselves. Squeeze the seeds from ripe tomatoes into a small bowl. Let the seeds sit in their own juice for two to three days. Remove the pulp floating on top and drain most of the juice, leaving the seeds at the bottom of the bowl. Spread the seeds on a paper towel until dry. Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. Seed will remain viable for three to five years.

Pick pumpkins for halloween from a local pumpkin farm. For a listing of farms call 773-233-0476 or check out pumpkins and more at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/pumpkins.

Ornamental

Plant spring flowering bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall. Larger bulbs like daffodils and tulips would be planted six to eight inches deep. Smaller bulbs would be planted three to four inches deep.

Plant daffodils and tulips in groups of at least twelve or more bulbs. Plant small bulbs in groups of fifty or more. Bulbs planted of one variety and color in mass will have a spectacular visual impact.

Plant species tulips this fall. These early spring bloomers are low growing and two toned tulips. Flowers open on sunny days and will multiply and spread over the years.

Leave the seed heads on coneflowers and black-eyed susans for the birds.

Overwinter geraniums by potting up plants, taking cuttings or storing bare-root plants in a cool, dry area.

Fertilize established trees in late october that have shown signs of stress such as smaller leaves, failure to leaf out or early fall color.

Continue to water evergreens as needed throughout the fall until the ground freezes. Evergreens lose moisture through their leaves during the winter.

Enjoy the fall foliage. Check out foliage updates and fall drives at the Miracle of Fall at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/fallcolor