October Garden Guide

Note: This is general information for the entire state of Arkansas on what to plant in your garden in October. For specific questions about planting in your area, please reach out to your local county agent.

Summer is over, and the crisp autumn breeze has officially arrived. We can feel the season-change in our bones and are pulling out our fall décor and warm, cozy sweaters.

Mornings are extra chilly and dew-covered, leaves have started changing colors—browns, reds, oranges, and yellows—and falling off their trees, and our yards and gardens have different needs from us now.

Garden Chores for October

Do you have a compost pile yet? October is a great time to build one!

Wondering what kind of garden chores you can do this time of year? Check out what chores we recommend doing this month:

Clean up your yard/garden: remove weeds, pick up fallen fruit, trim dead branches, etc. Get tips on sanitizing your garden!
Rake leaves, if desired. Leaves should be collected as they fall to avoid covering plants and grass you want to keep healthy. Throw leaves into a compost pile or use them as mulch for your plants.
Transition houseplants back inside for the cool season. Be sure to check for pests before making the move inside, treat as needed, and cut back on how much you are watering once indoors.
Start a compost pile if you don't have one already (learn more about composting below).
Get your soil tested by bringing a sample in to your county extension office.
Replenish mulch, as needed.
Give pots a good cleaning with a 1:10 bleach/water solution.
Avoid hard pruning at this time as many plants, namely spring-blooming plants, are setting buds for next year.
Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials at this time (learn more about planting trees and shrubs below).
Decorate your yard and house with seasonal décor, such as pumpkins, mums, and cornstalks. Look for disease-free fruits and healthy cornstalks, and monitor these living decorations, as occasionally squirrels and other critters can find them tantalizing!

Get Your Soil Tested—for FREE!

Did you know Arkansans can get their soil tested by our very own soil scientists to find out which amendments your soil needs to grow the different types of plants you're wanting to grow in your yard? Find out more about this free soil testing service!

Tips for Composting

Are you done with a potted plant or a spent plant you pulled from your garden?

Toss it in the compost, soil and all, if you'd like! Just make sure the plant is free of any diseases. You can also add fall leaves to your compost pile as you collect them. Learn more about composting!

October Vegetable Planting Guide

As you pull vegetables out of your garden from summer, replace them with a cool-season vegetable. Below is a list of vegetables you can plant in your yard in October:

Do you love garlic? Now's the time to plant garlic bulbs for next year's harvest! Learn about growing garlic with this Self-Sufficient U blogpost.

October Flower Planting Guide

As the weather cools, we can start planting and displaying cool-loving ornamentals, such as winter pansies, flowering kale, flowering cabbage, and fall mums. See what other kinds of flowers and ornamentals we recommend planting this month:

Fall bulbs (tulips, daffodils, etc.)
Garlic bulbs
Wildflowers (from seed or transplant)
Pansies
Violas
Ornamental kale
Ornamental cabbage
Swiss chard

It's also a good time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials while the soil is still warm and plants have the opportunity to establish a good root system quickly. You can divide and transplant your perennials at this time. Be sure to dig up any tender summer bulbs you want to save for next year, such as caladiums and fancy elephant ears.

Download our Planting a Tree or Shrub publication

Caring for Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums like a cooler climate, and they love full sun. For the longest lasting mums, choose plants whose buds are still closed. This means they will last longer into the fall season.

Wait until the weather cools a bit before buying. When choosing your plants, check for broken stems, dying flowers, and wilted, limp leaves before purchasing. Buy the healthiest plants you can find for the best show.

It's Time to Plant Fall Bulbs!

October is the time to plant bulbs for those great spring flowers!

Do you want those lovely early spring blooms, such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, and more? Get your fall bulbs ready and get to planting!

Look for big, healthy bulbs, and plant them this month or early next month as the soil starts to cool down to give them the proper amount of time required so they can blossom in February, March, and April.

Download our Fall Bulbs publication to learn more about planting fall bulbs

Tips for Digging Up Tender Summer Bulbs

Do you have summer bulbs that won't make it through the winter? Be sure to dig them up before or immediately after the first frost.

Tender summer bulbs include caladiums and fancy elephant ears, although common elephant ears will likely survive winter in Arkansas.

To dig up these bulbs, cut the tops off of them and shake off as much of the soil as possible. Let them air dry for a few days on top of some newspaper in a safe place such as a garage, and brush any remaining dirt off. Then store them in a cardboard box, layering them using packing materials such as shredded paper or shipping peanuts. Be sure not to over-crowd them, as this can cause them to rot. Store the box(es) in a cool, dry place until the weather warms back up. Learn more about tending to summer bulbs in White County's article "Summer Bulb Care in Arkansas."