Fertilize your lawn. Lawns fertilized in the fall are better equipped to survive the winter. Reseed in bare patches.
Gardening "To Do" Tips by Month for Spring Valley, NV
Begin cutting back on watering of the garden and lawn (except newly seeded areas) so that plants can prepare for dormancy (not growth).
Save the seeds from your self-pollinating flowers, such as marigolds, cosmos, or coneflowers, to plant next spring by drying them and storing them in closed containers.
Plant spring wildflowers now.
If you purchased spring-blooming bulbs, plant them as soon as you get them.
In some areas, you can plant cool-season vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, carrots, garlic, Swiss chard, lettuce, beets, kale, parsnips, radishes, peas, spinach, turnips, and celery. See our seed-starting chart on Almanac.com/Gardening.
Plant cool-season annuals, such as pansies and snapdragons, when the temperature begins to decrease.
Plant any perennials. Divide and replant overcrowded perennial beds. Remember to apply a layer of organic matter to the new bed.
Use only phosphate fertilizers on perennials and bulbs (no nitrogen).
Do not fertilize annuals.
Cut back annuals when they finish flowering.
Plan to seed cool-season lawns, such as bluegrass or ryegrass, towards the end of the month; fall is the best time to establish such lawns.
Place tropical houseplants under shade trees to prepare them for winter indoors.
