October is a good planting month in our area

October is the most recommended month for planting in our area. Plants that are put into the ground now have the opportunity to develop a strong root system that will support vigorous spring growth. The soil is still warm, the air is cooler, and perhaps winter rains are on the way.

With many special plant sales currently going on throughout the area, there is no shortage of selections available. Native and desert-adapted plants are recommended because they readily accept the growing conditions and therefore require less effort from the gardener. Among such perennials are: Baja fairy duster, blackfoot daisy, globe mallow, goldeneye, jojoba, Mount Lemmon marigold, deer grass, desert spoon, moss verbena, Santa Rita prickly pear, and the many salvias.

For larger shrubs that can also create privacy, there are hopbush, privet, Texas mountain laurel, Arizona rosewood, woolly butterfly bush, or the fragile-looking sweet-scented aloysia.

This is a good time to add cool weather herbs to the garden or into patio containers. Set out transplants of chives, Mexican tarragon, oregano, and thyme. Seeds of cilantro, parsley, or dill may also be sown. Not only are these welcome for use in the kitchen, but add a touch of “barrio garden” to the terrace, especially in colorful Talavera pots.

If a quick-growing, bright green groundcover sounds appealing for your garden, consider planting lemon dalea (Dalea capitata). With yellow flowers through spring and summer, the three plants at the front of the Corbett Terrace in the Arid Garden have been a success after barely a year in the ground.

October is the time to spread wildflower seed and begin the daily light sprinkling until germination. Available are packets of mixed wildflowers especially chosen for the local area. Or if you prefer one particular variety such as Arizona lupines, desert bluebells, California poppy, African daisy, or penstemon, these seeds are also sold in nurseries and garden centers.

If fortunate enough to have a vegetable garden, in October you may set out transplants of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, garlic, shallot, or onion sets. Of course your tomatoes are already “showing their stuff.”

It is also possible to raise a few vegetables in their own containers, or tucked into pots with ornamentals. Throw in a few seeds of arugula, spinach, radishes, various lettuces, or colorful Swiss chard. These plants help fill the containers with soft background color, and can become part of a salad bowl from the desert.

As soon as temperatures have reliably cooled, it is time to set out your favorite annuals. To add some much-needed color to the winter garden, consider petunias, snapdragons, sweet alyssum, poppies, calendulas, stock, and the most cold-hardy, pansies. Most of these plants survive and many actually thrive in our mild desert winter with little or no cold protection.

Autumn is a good time to add a layer of mulch around plants to help insulate roots, conserve moisture, and discourage any winter weeds.

A 4-inch thick layer of organic material is ideal, but also gravel or decomposed granite will help.

Keep in mind that as temperatures cool, the frequency of watering should be reduced, but the duration should always remain the same. Drip irrigation timers need to be adjusted with the seasons. When doing that, why not check emitters (with the system running, of course) to make sure they are all operating correctly.

Besides planting this month, also enjoy the cool morning freshness, crisp dry air, and crystal clear skies. This is October in the Santa Cruz Valley… without raking acres of dead leaves, ordering in the firewood, or waiting for the coming blizzards and ice storms!

Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns are featured each Sunday.