October Garden Prep in Nevada County

October is one of the most important months for gardeners in Nevada County. As the weather cools, it’s the perfect time to clean up, plant, and prepare your landscape for a healthy start next spring. Here are a few key steps to focus on this time of year.

Start by clearing out spent annuals, weeds, and any plants showing signs of disease or pest damage. A tidy garden reduces overwintering pests and keeps things looking neat. But don’t feel like you have to remove everything — leaving seed heads and some leaf litter in low-traffic areas can provide food and shelter for beneficial insects and birds through winter.

Perennials like echinacea and salvia can be left standing until late winter. Their dried stalks offer natural protection and add some structure to the garden during the cooler months.

October is a good time to prune summer-blooming shrubs and remove dead or crossing branches, but avoid cutting back frost-sensitive plants such as lavender, lantana, or penstemon. These are best left until spring to prevent frost damage.

You can also divide crowded perennials like daylilies, irises, and ornamental grasses now. Replant healthy divisions in amended soil so they have time to establish roots before winter.

Healthy soil makes for healthy plants. October is ideal for adding compost or organic matter to garden beds so nutrients can break down and enrich the soil over winter.

Once you’ve done that, apply a layer of mulch (around 2–3 inches thick) to help regulate soil temperature and hold in moisture. Just remember to keep mulch a few inches away from the base of each plant to prevent rot.

Many gardeners think of spring as planting season, but in Nevada County, October is even better. The soil stays warm while the air cools, giving new plants time to build strong roots before next summer’s heat.

If you’ve been thinking about new landscaping, October is a great time to start. Installation crews can work comfortably, and plants establish faster in mild weather.

Before winter arrives, inspect your irrigation system for leaks and flush out drip lines. Shorten your watering schedule as plants slow down, but don’t shut it off completely — deep, infrequent watering helps roots stay strong.

Keep frost cloth or old sheets ready to protect tender plants on cold nights. Mulch can also act as insulation for young trees and perennials.

October is a good time to step back and think about your garden’s long-term health and design. Take note of which plants thrived, which struggled, and what changes you’d like to make. Small improvements now often lead to big results in spring.

Visit us at the nursery for fresh October plants, soil amendments, and mulch — or talk with our landscape team about planting, irrigation checks, and seasonal maintenance. A little prep now will help your garden come back strong, colorful, and healthy next year.