October Gardening Tips for New Mexico
October Gardening Tips for New Mexico or the Desert Southwest. Cool nights and warm days are what we are feeling now. It is a great time to plant just about anything you want.
For color pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, calendula, and stock will bloom through winter, especially if they are planted next to a building or house. You can plant just about any type of tree or shrub. October gardening in cool weather is the perfect time to plant your tree!
Chrysanthemums are great flowering perennials for fall.
Pansies for Fall Color
The soil stays warm, which will help keep roots growing. The above-ground temperatures are cooling down considerably, which reduces the need for constant watering. This combination will help get these plants a really good jump start for the upcoming spring season.
Palm trees of the Southwest, small oleanders, red bird of paradise may do better if planted in the spring, and summer, as opposed to late Autumn and Winter. Our sub-freezing temperatures may injure these plants if planted too late. If you live in regions that do not get below 32° Fahrenheit planting the above plants will work.
You can use a “winterizer” fertilizer to help protect less hardy specimens or valued plants that may get winter damage. This type of fertilizer has a higher amount of potash.
Potash will help strengthen winter hardiness in most plants. Don’t forget to reduce watering on established plants during this time of year. If they are watered too much at this time of year they may produce “lush” growth which is subject to winter damage.
How often should you water in Autumn?
You still need to water during the fall months depending on what type of plants you have it will be a lot less. Most plants will need occasional watering in the winter months. Watering 2 to 3 times per month during the winter months will suffice. True desert or drought-tolerant plants in the southwest can be watered about once per month even less for cactus plants.
The fall colors in the Desert Southwest are amazing.
Do not fertilize after October 31st, except for cool-season grasses. Again as mentioned above pansies, and violas will provide you with winter color from now until next spring (April, May). If you have any questions please do NOT hesitate to call (575-523-1520 or 521-0496) or Contact Us
October Gardening Tips for New Mexico and the desert Southwest.
