Timely Tips

What to Do in October 2025
Weekly Gardening Timely Tips from
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

Oct. 12 - 18

Perennials: Continue planting spring-flowering bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and hyacinth. At your wit’s end from animals digging up bulbs? Protect new bulbs from critters that dig up the bulbs by planting them in hardware cloth cages or enclosing a whole trench with this metal mesh. Here’s an informal experiment to try. If lining a trench with hardware cloth is not an option, try planting standard size tulip and daffodil bulbs (not short varieties!) more deeply than usually recommended. These may be less likely to be dug up, and there is a chance that some might last longer before needing division.

Flowers: Cannas and dahlias may successfully overwinter with protection outdoors if you are in a warmer location in Westchester Co. (USDA Zone 7). If you are in a cooler spot, dig the tubers and rhizomes up once a hard frost has killed back the tops. At that time, trim off the dead foliage and allow them to surface-dry in an airy, frost-free place before storing. Store in a dry place that remains above freezing (optimally about 35° to 40°F) in paper bags, or in a single layer in an airy container. Check stored tubers occasionally to make sure they do not shrivel. If needed, sprinkle very lightly with water to rehydrate the plants and allow the surfaces to dry again before returning to storage.

Fruits and Vegetables: Continue harvesting fall crops. Warm season vegetables such as beans, peppers, tomatoes, and vine crops can be damaged when temperatures dip below about 50 to 55°. If an early frost is predicted, cover plants with a sheet just before sundown. Remove the sheet in the morning when temperatures start to rise. Consider removing plants where there is little left to harvest. Add healthy spent plants to the compost pile.

Trees and Shrubs: Pruning woody plants that have not fully hardened off may result in slow-healing wounds that can become diseased. Most woody plants are best pruned in early spring or right after their flowers fade, especially those that have already set next year’s flower buds this season. An exception is oak. If you need to prune, do this during the dormant season to reduce the risk of oak wilt disease.

Lawns: Don’t let leaves remain on the lawn over the winter because they’ll smother the grass. A thin coating of light, dry leaves that disappear into the lawn may be moved into the grass. Rake leaves that are too wet or dense to mow, then compost them or use them as mulch in a perennial garden where they can provide winter protection for beneficials if voles are not a problem in your location. If voles are present, mulch the garden after the ground has frozen.

Houseplants: Unlike most other potted plants, Christmas cactus and potted azaleas may remain outdoors until night temperatures drop to about 40° F. This can foster abundant blooming. Gardenias set flowers when night temperatures drop to about 62. If possible, find a cool, sunny spot indoors during the winter.

General: Inspect the yard for empty pots or other items that might not withstand winter, clean them and store them in a frost-free place until next year. Remove or empty containers that may collect water that harbors mosquitoes (some may be active in temperatures as low as 50°F). Take delicate containers indoors.

Invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) adults are laying eggs. The insects are especially attracted to tree of heaven and grape vines, but their eggs can be deposited on many surfaces in addition to trees. If you live in, plan to travel, or have recently returned from a place where SLF is established, be sure to check your vehicle and any items kept outdoors for hitchhiking lanternflies or their eggs and remove all before traveling (a flashlight and mirror may be helpful in hard to see spaces).

Last updated October 11, 2025