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October Planter's Almanac: What To Do, Plant

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By PENNY CARNATHAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 5, 2008

Fertilize citrus: Trees up to 4 years old should be fertilized four to six times a year, from January through October. Do not use a fertilizer with an analysis higher than 8-8-8. Apply 1 pound of fertilizer per year of the tree's age per application.

For mature, fruit-bearing trees older than 4 years, apply fertilizer in January-February, May-June and October-November. Apply 1 pound of fertilizer per year of the tree's age up to a maximum of 10 pounds per application. Use an 8-8-8 fertilizer containing secondary nutrients (particularly magnesium, manganese, copper and boron). Fertilize an area twice the diameter of the tree canopy.

Also on the to-do list:
Plant and fertilize annuals.
Fertilize lawns and trees, palms and shrubs.
Spray roses to prevent black spot and powdery mildew disease.
Watch for lacebug infestations.
Check lawns for insect pests, especially sod webworms.
Side dress vegetable plants with fertilizer.
Divide herbaceous perennials and bulbs.
Plant strawberries in a prepared bed.
Plant cold-hardy fall-winter vegetables.
Prepare Christmas cactus for holiday bloom.
Plant winter ryegrass.
Refrigerate tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs.
Watch for twig girdlers.

What To Plant This Month
Annuals: Ageratum, alyssum, baby's breath, celosia, cleome, gazania, globe amaranth, impatiens, marigold, nicotiana, ornamental cabbage, ornamental pepper, periwinkle (vinca), phlox, salvias (annual), sunflower, wax begonia, zinnia

Vegetables: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onions, peas, radish, spinach, strawberries, turnips
Herbs and spices: anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, caraway, cardamom, chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, horehound, lemon balm, lovage, marjoram, Mexican tarragon, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme, watercress

Bulbs: African lily, amaryllis, anemone, Aztec lily, blackberry lily, calla, cestrum, crinum, crocosmia, elephant ears, gladiolus, Kaffir lily, lapeirousia, Louisiana iris, moraea, narcissus, pineapple lily, shell ginger, spider lily, Watsonia, walking iris

Information provided by Hillsborough County Extension

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