October 2025 Gardening Guide
Episode Transcript
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Welcome back to the Keep Growing Podcast, your go-to source for gardening tips tailored to the Mid-Ohio Valley! I’m your host, John Morgan, and today we’re diving into the essential gardening tasks to tackle in October 2025. The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and it’s the perfect time to prep your garden for a restful winter and a vibrant spring. We’ve got a packed episode covering fall garden cleanup, composting, cover crops, planting spring bulbs, mowing your lawn for the last time, and doing a soil test. So, grab your gloves, and let’s get growing!
Segment 1: Fall Garden Cleanup and Composting
Alright, folks, let’s start with the big one: fall garden cleanup. October in the Mid-Ohio Valley is when we say goodbye to spent summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini. Clear out those dead plants, weeds, and debris to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering. Don’t just toss this stuff in the trash, though—turn it into gold for your garden!
Composting is your best friend this time of year. Chop up those plant materials—think tomato vines or bean stalks—and add them to your compost pile. Layer green materials, like fresh grass clippings or kitchen scraps, with brown materials, like dried leaves or straw, to keep things balanced. Aim for a ratio of about 3 parts brown to 1 part green. Turn the pile every couple of weeks to speed up decomposition. If you don’t have a compost bin yet, now’s a great time to start one. By spring, you’ll have nutrient-rich compost to feed your soil.
Quick tip: Avoid composting diseased plants or weeds with seeds. Bag those up and dispose of them to keep your garden healthy.
Segment 2: Garden Cover Crops
Next up, let’s talk cover crops. If your garden beds are looking bare after cleanup, don’t leave them naked over winter! Planting cover crops like clover, rye, or hairy vetch can work wonders. These crops protect your soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and add organic matter. In the Mid-Ohio Valley, October is prime time to sow cool-season cover crops.
For example, winter rye is a fantastic choice—it’s hardy, grows fast, and improves soil structure with its deep roots. Clover, on the other hand, fixes nitrogen, giving your spring crops a boost. Spread the seeds evenly, rake them lightly into the soil, and water gently. By spring, you can till these crops into the soil or cut them down as mulch. It’s like giving your garden a cozy blanket for winter!
Segment 3: Planting Spring Bulbs
Now, let’s get to one of my favorite October tasks: planting spring bulbs! There’s nothing like seeing tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths pop up after a long winter. In our region, October is the sweet spot for planting bulbs because the soil is cool but not frozen.
Choose high-quality bulbs—look for ones that are firm, not soft or moldy. Dig a hole about two to three times the bulb’s height, so for a 2-inch tulip bulb, dig 4 to 6 inches deep. Place the bulb pointy-end up, cover with soil, and water well. Space them about 4 to 6 inches apart for a nice display. If you want to dig a bit deeper, check out our most recent blog post. I’ll add a link to the show notes.
Segment 4: Mowing Lawns for the Last Time
Let’s shift gears to your lawn. October is typically when we mow for the last time before winter in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The goal is to cut the grass short enough to prevent matting under snow but not so short that you stress it out. Aim for a height of about 2 to 2.5 inches.
Before you mow, clear away leaves and debris to avoid clogging your mower or leaving clumps that can smother the grass. If your mower has a bagging attachment, collect those clippings for your compost pile. After mowing, give your mower a quick clean—remove grass buildup and check the blades. We’ll talk more about winterizing your tools in our next episode, so stay tuned!
Segment 5: Doing a Garden Soil Test
Last but not least, let’s talk soil testing. If you want a thriving garden next year, knowing your soil’s health is key. October is a great time to take a soil sample because it gives you plenty of time to amend the soil before spring planting.
Here’s how to do it: Grab a clean trowel and collect small samples from 4 to 6 spots in your garden, about 6 inches deep. Mix them together in a clean bucket, remove any rocks or roots, and let the soil air-dry. Send it to a local extension service, like the West Virginia University Extension, or a private lab. They’ll test for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and more. Results usually take a couple of weeks, and they’ll come with recommendations for amendments, like lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it.
For example, if your soil is too acidic—a common issue in our region—you might need to add lime now so it has time to work into the soil over winter. Trust me, a soil test is like a roadmap to a better garden.
Closing:
That’s a wrap for today’s episode, folks! We covered fall garden cleanup, composting, planting cover crops, spring bulbs, the final lawn mowing, and soil testing—everything you need to set your Mid-Ohio Valley garden up for success. Next time, we’ll dive into preparing your garden tools and equipment for winter, so you won’t want to miss it.
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow gardener, and drop us a message on our website or social media with your October gardening wins. Until next time, keep growing!
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