The cooler days of early autumn are a great time to plant many of our favorite garden plants.
Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs
October is the month to plant tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and more. Buy large, full-sized bulbs (avoid discount bulbs) to get a good display in spring. Plant in clusters of eight, 10, or more. They look best in masses and digging one larger hole also allows you work in plenty of compost into the soil. Water well after planting. Draw a map or otherwise take notes on what you’ve planted where so you know what to expect and where not to dig come spring.
Plant Mums As Desired
You can buy them now in full bloom. There are two basic types of mums: Florist’s mums, which aren’t winter hardy but are very neat-looking with large flowers, and garden mums, which are more wild looking but will come back again next year.
Florist’s mums are great for pots indoors and out, while garden mums are good for planting in the ground for a permanent planting.
Force Bulbs Now
Forcing bulbs is simply planting spring-blooming bulbs in pots, chilling them in the fridge, and then bringing them out in January and February to grow and bloom indoors, like a houseplant.
Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials
Although there is a lot of promotion out there on planting trees, shrubs, and perennials in the fall, in Iowa it can be tricky. If conditions aren’t just right, they won’t get established well and will will die out during the winter. Plant no later than mid-September, so they have a few weeks before the first frost to get established. And keep them well-watered. Autumn in Iowa can be very dry some years.
Lawns
September is a great time to plant grass seed or lay sod. The cooler temperatures help germination rate and help turfgrass, which thrives in cooler temperatures, get established. Just be sure to water well–daily for at least the first two weeks.
A Note On Saving Seeds
If the plant isn’t a hybridized type, you can allow the seed to dry and save in jars until spring. However, if it is indeed hybridized, it won’t come true from seed.
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