BERKELEY, CA — It’s formally autumn in Berkeley, and there are hints throughout of the brand new season. The hillsides are golden, neighborhood leaves are starting to show, and pumpkin-spice is on each menu and each aisle on the retailer.
For gardeners, it is time to harvest the final of the summer season crops, end planting cool-weather crops, and plant spring bulbs similar to daffodils.
For a whole listing of October duties within the backyard, we flip to the UC Grasp Gardener Program of Alameda County:
October
- The summer season harvest continues however the finish is in sight. As you harvest, clear up all particles; it hides bugs and illnesses.
- Proceed to look after cool-season greens and flowers planted in September.
- Cool climate crops together with lettuce, inexperienced onions, potatoes, peas, and many others. can nonetheless be planted however will most likely not fruit till the spring.
- Ditto for cool-season annuals except already blooming (attempt 4-inch pots).
- Spring bulbs (daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, and many others.) could be planted this month and subsequent. Tulips should first be chilled earlier than planting.
- Plant garlic and shallots after October 15 to reap subsequent summer season.
- Plant cowl crops (additionally referred to as inexperienced manure or compost crops) similar to fava beans.
- As you pull up previous crops and rake up leaves, compost, compost, compost. You’ll want the completed compost within the spring.
- Fall is a superb planting time for perennials and California Natives in our local weather. In the reduction of and divide leggy perennials or plant new ones. Plant shrubs and bushes.
- As crops decelerate, cease fertilizing. Water as crucial and contemplate turning off irrigation programs.
For extra data on gardening in Alameda county, go to the UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County. The UC Grasp Gardener Program is a public service and outreach program underneath the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, administered domestically by taking part UC Cooperative Extension county places of work. Since 1980, the UC Grasp Gardener Program has been extending research-based details about residence horticulture and pest administration to the general public.
