October Glory
Okay friends, rain is in the forecast this weekend. You know what that means: wash your car, leave the shovel out, whatever superstition you ascribe to to make it rain — we’re all in this together. Hopefully as this email reaches your inbox the last day over 90 degrees in 2026 will be in the books. It’s been a rough one for everybody, but we are happy to help you reframe losses in your garden as opportunities for new plantings.
Now is a great time to reflect on what did well in your space this year. Did you try any new varieties of veggies that really took off? How about any reworked beds that might have hosted differing crops in years past? The Gardener’s Calendar put out by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is a year round source of timely information that I’ve grown very fond of. Even the most seasoned of gardeners can’t remember every last detail of what goes on or what to do. By using a calendar or journal to track your gardening efforts, you can have a tangible history of your labors of love.
Believe it or not, we’re coming up on our average first frost date, October 10. If you are tired of canning and ready to get into the cold season crops, we have you covered! If you decide to let the bed rest, we get it. Try scattering a cover crop seed like Crimson Clover to fix nitrogen and feed soil or Oats to prevent weeds and erosion. It’s also a great time to broadcast perennial seed, as many benefit from the stratification of cold winter temps. Roundstone Native Seeds provide a wide range of mixes tailored to different habitats, perfect for those who wish to rewild their gardens and fields.
That’s it for this week, friends. Tune in to Gardening Inside Out Saturday mornings at 8 am. Queue up the podcast for your next adventure, and listen to Garden Snacks with Caroline. Follow our Instagram for behind the scenes fun and questions answered. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Happy Gardening,
Sara Bates
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