October is here; and you may be noticing changes in temperature and appearances outside. Because the weather is turning from hot to cold, it's important to take care of plants to ensure that they survive upcoming frosts and wildlife movements. Here are October gardening tips. 

Planting Trees and Shrubs

October is a great time to grow trees in the yard; but watch for deer. Late September into October is when bucks rub their antlers on trees in preparation for the rut period. This is the time of year when male deer remove the dried velvet to make themselves look more desirable to does. To protect young trees, wrap tree guards around individual trees. Tree wraps are easy to use and will protect tree bark and buds.

Weed Out the Weak

Weed control is a must in October. Weeds suffocate flowers and can spread to other plants if not stopped. Weeding plants can be done by hand or sprayed on yards.

Mulch

Apply mulch or compost around flowers and vegetable gardens to give nutrients to plants.

Plants To Grow In October

October is the best time of year to plant leafy greens and fall vegetables including:

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Lettuce

Deer Management Is a Must

Deer are feeling the pressure to eat in home gardens before they are stuck eating twigs and leaves in the forest. To protect fall crops, it's best to fence out deer with deer fencing. While deer repellents may seem effective at first, the heat, rain and upcoming snow will leave gardens with little protection from wildlife. Having a deer fence is the best method for deer control in gardens.