For most Colorado gardens, October is the last month of activity before we tuck the beds in for winter. But this is also the perfect time for a few chores that close out the season and give you a head start on spring.

EVALUATE YOUR GARDEN

WINTERIZE IRRIGATION 

October is also the time to shut down irrigation systems. Pumps, lines and filters need to be drained and dismantled so they don’t freeze and break. Before shutting things down, give your landscape a good drink of water. Winter moisture is unpredictable, and hydrated soil helps insulate plant roots from damaging cold.

RETHINK RAKING

Raking leaves is one of the season’s most common chores that you may want to reconsider. 

In nature, fallen leaves decompose into nutrients that feed next year’s growth. When we rake all the leaves, we rob trees, shrubs and lawns of those minerals. A decomposing leaf layer also creates habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators. 

This year, consider designating a “messy area” under native trees or shrubs to keep leaves in place. This technique also provides mulch to buffer the roots from damaging frosts. Plants above ground can usually withstand the cold, but it’s the roots that need protection—and leaves do that naturally.

START COMPOSTING

Leaves also make a great start to a compost pile. Mix two parts leaves with one part “green” material like vegetable scraps, lawn clippings or manure from horses, cows, chickens or rabbits. Keep it moist—about 50 percent—and turn it every few days. Compost typically takes about six months to mature, so started now it will be rich and ready by April or May.

WATCH FOR PESTS AND DISEASE

Don’t toss plants that struggled with pests or disease in the compost pile. Powdery mildew, squash bug infestations or aphid-covered lettuce should go in the trash. I hate to overwinter those insect eggs and be inviting them back again for next season. Those problematic plants need to be remembered by making a note about crop rotations in your planner for next year.

PROTECT POTS AND TENDER PLANTS

October is the time to protect or store weather-sensitive pots and the tender plants in them. Some can be moved closer to the house, where siding absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night to keep plants warmer. Others need to come inside. 

I shift pots toward the house and tap them every couple of days for a week to encourage earwigs and spiders to leave before bringing them in. My ceramic pots get a good cleaning and are stored in the shed to avoid cracking or bleaching in the winter sun.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

Reset your garden: Why fall is the perfect time to start fresh

Start fresh with fall gardening! Learn how to plant cool-season crops for a bountiful harvest. Extend your growing season and prepare for winter and spring with these easy tips. Read More »