October to-do list

Sigh.  It's almost clean-up time.  Oh well, at this time of year I am usually satisfied with what I've accomplished in the garden (I've got a big old yard that needs a lot of work done, it's very much a work in progress).  So I'm happy to start putting things away for the year and to move on to some other hobbies that don't get any attention during the summer... or clean the house...

Here's my to-do list for October:

1. Cut down some perennials and compost them.There is much debate about whether it is better to leave everything standing, or chop it all down, or do something in the middle.  I will post more soon about what plants definately should be chopped down for the winter (because they just turn to a mushy mess or to prevent spread of disease, for example) and which plants definately should be left standing for the winter because they look so great!  Everything in between is a matter of taste, I think.
2. Rake leaves and mow lawn to the lowest height setting on your mower.  Rake up the cuttings and compost as well.
3. Soak all trees and shrubs with a soaker hose for a full day in mid- to late-October.
4. Empty ceramic pots and store where they will stay dry - the freeze/thaw cycle will crack them if they get wet.
5. Clean out eavestroughs and downspouts once leaves have fallen.
6. I don't grow any plants that need special winter protection, but I will put a few spruce branches on top of some of my evergreen perennials such as moss phlox and sea thrift, to prevent them from drying out.
7. Harvest carrots and pumpkins!!