What Albuquerque Gardeners Should Do in October:  

• Stop by Jericho after the Balloon Fiesta and pick up a fresh ristra or two for our Southwestern flare.  
• Harvest your pumpkins, gourds and ornamental corn, or stop by Jericho and pick up a big one for a Jack-o-Lantern.
• Still time to plant spring flowering bulbs. Soil preparation and a super phosphate is a must.
• Plant ornamental grasses.
• Plant perennial seeds that need cold stratification for spring germination, like poppies or wild flower seeds.
• Plant pansies and kale in containers.
• Plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Fall sale is still going on at Jericho.
• Winterize cool season lawns if you have not already done so.
• Top dress garden beds with Back to Earth Compost or Enriched Mulch.
• Clean ponds and waterfalls of leaves and debris.
• Clean up any fruits and vegetables that may be rotting and dispose of tomato plants.
• Last treatment for stone fruit for peach tree borers.
• Winterize your irrigation systems.
• Clean and store all gardening equipment and tools.
• Clean and store containers or pots not in use.
• Lift begonias, cannas, dahlias and gladiolus and store if they are in an area that will freeze.
• Prune peonies down to 6″ and top dress with mulch.
• Prune pyracantha to show off berries for winter color.
• Deep water established trees, shrubs and flower beds monthly. New plantings will require more the first year.