With things winding down in the garden it feels a little gloomy around here. But, now is one of the busiest times of the season. It’s time to harvest, and preserve and clean up the garden for next year. However, don’t forget to plant some seeds that will give you early spring blossoms, or salads throughout winter! Let’s dig in and talk about what to grow in Oregon this October!
What to Grow in October in Oregon
Last week we went over my favorite crop to plant in October along with 3 others. And I believe I mentioned there was still more to put in the dirt! We’re finally getting some seeds and bulbs in the mail, and here is what I can’t wait to put in the ground in the coming days.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a wonderful cold weather crop, and my goal is to keep some salad boxes going through the winter! The first winter we were here with garden boxes I bought some row fabric to protect my plants from freezing weather. I intend to put those to use this year to keep spinach and lettuce growing. I create a hoop house structure using green bamboo, then as temperatures drop I have the perfect way to protect my leafy greens.
Tulips Bulbs
Who doesn’t love tulips? Waking up on a gray winter morning and looking outside to see some color popping up in the yard is a magical thing. My husband and I were watching some Chip & Joanna show once upon a time and Joanna had her sister over for coffee and tulip picking one morning. Ever since then I have dreamed of a garden full of tulips to pick with my ladies. Last October my then three year old and I dug up some of the front yard to get started. I dug the 6 inch hole, and she dropped each bulb in. We had already decorated for Halloween so it was quite a stark contrast. Prepping for Spring Blooms underneath a massive spider web.
Crocus Bulbs
This is my first year planting crocus bulbs, so I can’t wait to see how they do! I’m actually going to give saffron a try, and I am so excited to see how they do. Saffron seems a bit of a lofty goal, but I’m a pedal to the metal, try everything kind of gal. My plan is to plant them in containers to see how they do. Then I’ll be able to move them inside when we get well below freezing this winter.
I have this weird mindset where I like to plant root / bulb crops in containers just in case we move suddenly I can pick em up and take them with us. It’s weird, I know! It’s probably because I once thought we were going to move early summer and I wouldn’t be able to take my garlic with me. I dreamt up ways that I could carefully uproot and move my garden boxes without a) making a huge mess and b) killing the garlic in the process.
Thankfully, we stayed put and I didn’t have to uproot my garden. But now every time I plant something that is valuable to my heart, or needs time to be established I think about how I could take it with me if we finally got our acreage! Looking at you garlic & echinacea.
Daffodil Bulbs
Like Tulips, daffodils are a burst of sunshine in the gloomy PNW weather. We have lots of them growing in our front yard, and they are a big attraction to the kids in the neighborhood. Make sure you plant plenty so that you won’t miss a couple that go missing.
I have read that a lot of people have trouble with squirrels digging up their freshly planted bulbs. We haven’t had that problem around here, so I have no suggestions for how to deter them. However, we have had pest problems this year, so maybe this will be the year the squirrels attack.
I hope you get out in the garden to plant some more this October! You will be thankful come spring when you have armfuls of tulips & daffodils.
Hope to see you in the garden soon,
Aubrey
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