October Gardening Guides Cover Planting, Wildlife

October is a useful time to prepare for spring: gardeners can sow suitable hardy flower seeds, including calendula and campanula, while fall-planted daffodil bulbs need winter chill to bloom and can return for years. Daffodils are also often left alone by deer, rabbits and rodents, making them a reliable choice for colorful spring beds. Rather than cutting coneflowers back after flowering, leave their stems and seedheads standing through fall and winter; they provide food for birds and add structure to the dormant garden.