1. October in the Southern California Garden
Each month has its special joys and tasks in the garden. Below is a suggested calendar for October. Remember that gardening depends on the weather, so tasks, bloom season and activities may vary from year to year.
Best of Show:
 Flowers: Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis pilularis, Ceanothus spp., Brickellia californica, Diplacus spp. (on coast), Epilobium canum, Salvia clevelandii, Verbena lilacena
 Fruits/berries: Rosa spp., Symphoricarpos spp., Vitus spp.
 Foliage: tan/brown foliage of local native grasses & shrubs
Planning/Preparation:
 Purchase plants from native plant nurseries/sales; place in semi-shade and water regularly until planted out.
 Consider adding some decorative and educational signs to your garden; explore your options – purchase/create, then install after pruning
Hardscape/General:
 Finish installing any hardscape: fences, paths, patios
 Re-apply mulch after pruning
Propagation:
 From seed: cool-season grass plugs; annual wildflowers, bulb seeds in nursery containers; winter veggie crops
 Start chilling seeds w/ shorter (1-2 month) pre-plant stratification period; check for roots every 2 weeks – plant in nursery containers when first roots emerge
Planting:
 Plant out cool-season garden vegetables (lettuce; spinach; broccoli/cauliflower; peas) from starts/pony-packs or seed
Watering: prepare for the rainy season
 Taper off watering all but Zone 2-3 & 3 plants. Keep vegetable gardens, containers & other Zone 3 plants watered – particularly if Santa Anna winds are predicted
 Once rains saturate the soil you can turn off your irrigation system (if you have one); check soils periodically during hot, windy, dry weather and water as needed
 Install/repair/clean rainwater collection/infiltration system (if not done in Sept.)
 Set out/clean rain gauge

2. Pruning: major pruning month, particularly for Water Zone 1 and Zone 1-2 plants
 Prune to shape/thin:
 Ribes spp.
 Most summer-dry shrubs (particularly Coastal Sage Scrub and Coastal Shrubland species)
 Hedge-shear – often the best time for mature plants
 Divide native bulbs/corms; store or replant (better)
 Remove old leaves, dead stems, tidy up perennials, groundcovers and ornamental grasses
Weeds/Diseases/Pests:
 Usually not much weeding to do; but keep on top of any weeds, weedy grasses that may appear.
 Good time to work on removing patches of Bermuda & Kikuyu grasses, which are slowing down now
 Gophers may be getting desperate; consider options
Edibles/crafts:
 Dry aromatic prunings for seasoning/tea/potpourri
 Save artistic-looking materials for fall/winter decorations, flower arrangements, etc.
 Dye some yarn with prunings; or dry the dye-stuff for later
 Carve a pumpkin – or make a pie
Enjoying the garden:
 Go to the native plant sales; see what’s new, ask questions
 Visit a new-to-you native plant garden; take your camera and notebook to jot down ideas.
 Enjoy the play of tans, browns and grays – a subtle sophisticated color palette
9/28/14