October To-Do List for Your Yard, Garden & Houseplants

Because the only thing scarier than Halloween is neglecting your fall gardening. Ah, October. The month when your coffee gets upgraded to pumpkin spice, your sweaters finally earn their keep, and your garden starts whispering, “Help me get ready for winter!”

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a “plant it and pray” gardener, October is the time to tuck your outdoor space (and your houseplants) in for their long winter nap. Here’s your guide to what you should be doing now — before the frost hits and everything goes poof.

 

In the Yard: Prep for the Long Nap

Keep Raking (But Not Too Much!)

Leaves are falling faster than your motivation, but don’t bag them all up! Shred some with your mower and leave them on the lawn — they’ll decompose into free fertilizer. Pile others in garden beds as a cozy mulch blanket for perennials.

Give Your Lawn a Little Love

October is your lawn’s last chance to shine before it turns into a crunchy carpet.

• • Aerate if you haven’t yet.
  • Apply a fall fertilizer (look for one higher in potassium) to strengthen roots.
  • Keep mowing until the grass stops growing, just don’t scalp it — aim for about 2.5 inches.

Plant Those Trees and Shrubs!

Fall planting is where it’s at. Cooler temps and moist soil help roots establish before winter. Great options include burning bush, hydrangeas, lilacs, and maples. Bonus: less watering for you.

Protect Your Evergreens

Evergreens lose moisture all winter, so give them a deep watering before the ground freezes. Then, if you want to be extra kind, spritz them with an anti-desiccant spray in late fall.

Empty Those Flower Pots & Containers

Your summer planters have done their job — now it’s time to thank them and tuck them away. Pull out the dead annuals, dump the old soil (don’t reuse it next year — it can harbour pests and diseases), and give your pots a quick rinse before storing them. This simple step prevents cracking from frozen soil and saves you from a messy surprise come spring.

Cut Back—But Not Everything!

Cut back perennials that look mushy, diseased, or flopped over, but leave seed heads (like coneflower and black-eyed Susan) for the birds. Ornamental grasses? Let them stand tall all winter — they add texture and give birds a place to hide.

In the Garden: Harvest, Clean, and Dream

Harvest the Last of the Veggies

Pick any remaining tomatoes, peppers, and herbs before frost gets them. Green tomatoes? Bring them inside to ripen or make fried green tomato magic.

Pull the Dead Stuff

Spent plants can harbour pests and diseases. Out they go. Compost the healthy ones, but toss diseased plants in the trash, not the compost pile.

Plant Garlic for Next Year’s Harvest

October is prime time for planting garlic in Zone 5. Pop cloves about 2 inches deep, pointy side up, then mulch well. You’ll thank yourself next summer when you’re sautéing with your own homegrown bulbs.

Add Compost or Manure

Spread a layer of compost or aged manure over your beds now so the nutrients can work their way in over winter. It’s like a fall facial for your soil.

Tuck in Bulbs for Spring

Tulips, daffodils, alliums, crocuses — get them in the ground before it freezes. Think of it as planting happiness for future you.

 

For Houseplants: Moving In, Warming Up

Bring the Tropicals Inside (If You Haven’t Yet!)

If your hibiscus, ferns, palms, or alocasias are still out sunbathing, it’s time to move them in before the frost sends them into shock.

Check for Pests Beforehand

Nobody wants to introduce aphids to the family. Inspect leaves (top and bottom), rinse off dust and bugs, and treat with insecticidal soap if needed before they move indoors.

Ease Up on Water and Fertilizer

Plants slow down in fall, so water less and stop feeding them until spring. Think of it as a winter diet.

Give Them Some Light

Shorter days mean less sunlight. Move houseplants to brighter spots, and consider a grow light if they start looking sulky.

Humidity Matters

Heaters make indoor air dry. Group plants together or set them on pebble trays with water to boost humidity. Your tropicals will thank you. 

Bonus: Help the Birds! 

As bugs and berries become scarce, our feathered friends could use a hand.

• Refill bird feeders and birdbaths.
• Clean out birdhouses so they’re ready for winter tenants.
• Leave some seed heads and dried grasses standing — it’s natural decor and bird buffet.

 

October Wrap-Up

So there you have it, October is all about cleaning up, planting for the future, and preparing for winter — without burning out. Think of it as the gardening version of packing for a cozy cabin getaway. You’re not saying goodbye to your garden, just tucking it in for a long, well-deserved rest. 

Grab your rake, a mug of something warm, and enjoy the crisp air while you check a few of these off your list. Your spring self will be very impressed.

Need supplies, advice, or a little inspiration? Stop by Georgina Garden Centre — our team is here to help you find the right fall plants, fertilizers, tools, and tips to keep your garden thriving through the season (and beyond). Let’s make sure your yard looks as good as your pumpkin display!

Happy gardening!