What to Plant October

Trees of almost any variety can be planted this month. See:

http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/

Flowers - Refresh flowerbeds with cool-season annuals: alyssum, calendula, chrysanthemum, dianthus, geranium, petunia, snapdragon, pansy, flowering tobacco, stock, and flowering kale.

Ornamental Plants Resource: http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/

Poinsettias – No more pruning and keep them out of any light at night.

Invite Pollinators

Think of adding essential plants for attracting butterflies: passion vine (not red) for gulf fritillary, zebra longwing, and Julia butterflies, milkweed for monarchs, cassia for Sulphur butterflies, coontie for atala butterflies, and Dutchman’s pipe (aka pipevine) for the pipe vine swallowtail (aka the blue swallowtail butterfly).

Plant herbs for cooler weather borage cucumber-like flavor is lovely in salads), chives, coriander, dill, cilantro, fennel, lavender, lemon grass (restrict to pots), parsley, rosemary, sweet marjoram, thyme, and sage.

Attract Butterflies with

Chives

Fennel

dill

Thyme

Marjoram

Catmint

Mint

Chives

Yarrow

Parsley

Attract Bees with

Basil

borage

Lemon balm

Lavender

Hyssop

Borage

Sage

Savory

Chamomile

Rosemary

Dill

Betony

Lamb's ears

Thyme

Dandelion

Attract Hummingbirds with

Bee balm

Lavender

Pineapple sage

Mint

Rosemary

Catnip

Bulbs to enhance the landscape include Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus), amaryllis, calla, crinum, Aztec lily (Sprekelia), Anemone, Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea), Snowflake (Leucojum), Kaffir lily (Clivia), Walking iris (Neomarica), Narcissus, Iris (not German or Japanese), Watsonia (Watsonia spp.), Spider lily (Hymenocallis sp.), African iris (Moraea spp.), Tritonia crocata var. miniata and rain lily (Zephyranthes spp.).

Strawberries do well in our area if planted between October 1 through the end of November. They like growing in containers where it makes it easy to keep them watered, especially as they are starting out. For optimal varieties, planting and care see:

http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/strawberries.html

Grow Vegetables from Seed – it’s inexpensive and fun

Vegetable seeds that can be sown in October for planting in November are beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions- bulbing, bunching and multipliers, English peas, spinach and turnips. Sow carrot and radish seeds directly in the soil, no deeper than ½-inch.

Take a look at this organic vegetable gardening guide with suggested varieties for Florida:

http://www.mothersorganics.com/downloads/FL-Vegetable Planting-Guide.pdf

Radishes are especially gratifying because they are ready to harvest in about 20-30 days. Plant seeds every ten days to two weeks to have a continuous crop. Plant seeds in fertile, water-retentive soil and thin seedlings so they are spaced about an inch apart.

Radish leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant. Sautéed the greens are delicious and provide significant amounts of vitamins A, C, K, calcium, iron, magnesium and folate.