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.
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