OCTOBER

The average first frost in eastern Sussex County is October 30th.

Continue mowing weekly. It is best for the lawn to not cut grass below 3 inches tall. It is also better not to bag grass clippings. Leaving the clippings on the lawn saves work, adds organic matter and nitrogen to your soil, and does not contribute to thatch build-up.

Focus on weed control. Pull, rake, or spray fall annual weeds, like chickweed, while they’re little.  Apply a pre-emergent to keep the others from germinating.

Clean up your yard and garden beds, but leave your perennial flowers through the winter as a food source for the birds. 

Harvest the last of your summer vegetables before the first frost if you have not done so already.  Turn over the soil and plant a cover crop if you want.

Start a new compost pile, using everything you have cleaned out of your yard.

Plant leafy greens before the first frost, as they can often grow year round in a sunny, protected spot.

Protect or move any potted plants before the first frost if you plan to overwinter them. Here is information on overwintering perennials.

Plant trees, shrubs, perennials, turf grass, and winter annuals such as pansies and ornamental cabbage and kale. October is an ideal time to plant, divide, and transplant.

Plant daffodil bulbs for next spring.

Look out for spotted lanternfly adults. 

Check yourself and others for ticks.  Here is a great resource in our area for information on ticks and tick-borne illnesses.  

Look out for many spiderwebs as you walk through your yard.

Spend plenty of time outside this month enjoying fresh air and sunshine; stock up on vitamin D for the coming winter!