October report for So Cal

Well, my zucchini and tomatoes and sweet potatoes are coming along nicely. It didn't hurt that the temps have been in to 90s/100s. The sugar snap peas are looking pretty good too, despite the temps and after losing the first batch to snails, I now have three squares of yellow beans on their way.

I hope everyone has their winter gardens plans ready. October picks up a little in the number of things to plant. I heard a forecast for rain last night, although I haven't seen any. It would be lovely if we could have another rainy winter.

What to Plant for October.

Beets
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Leeks
Lettuce
Onions Bunching
Onions/Garlic sets
Parsley
Peas
Spinach

What's in your garden now?

My trombocino and spaghetti squash are still producing alrhough they are looking a little sad.

Cherry type toms are still going great. Found a few hornworms a couple of days ago. Sprayed BT and this morning found a very dead one hanging on a leaf.



Sweet potaoes are taking over. I planted them late (aug). When should I expect to harvest them? I'm thinking about thanksgiving.



I planted delecata squash at the same time. The first couple of tiny squash got eaten. I think I got that pesky squirrel. There is now one new squash about 4" long.

Bell peppers are still producing. I just planted garlic, broccoli. lettuce, carrots.



Before this last round of planting I added lots of compost to the 4x8 bed and built a new bed. When the trombocino and spaghetti squash are done & pulled I hope to build 1 or 2 more beds, maybe table tops.

Lindacol wrote:
Found a few hornworms a couple of days ago. Sprayed BT and this morning found a very dead one hanging on a leaf.

Sweet potatoes are taking over. I planted them late (aug). When should I expect to harvest them? I'm thinking about thanksgiving.

I hope to build 1 or 2 more beds, maybe table tops.

After claiming that I only get 1 tomato hornworm a year I found three on the one plant I have right now. I tossed them about 20 feet to a butterfly bush and they either survive or they don't. Hopefully they do not crawl back.

You can keep the sweet potatoes in the ground for a long time. When we had our first frost last year, the plant turned black immediately and I then harvested everything left in the ground, and they were in fine shape. I harvest by just digging in until I feel one and pulling it out. With the nice soft MM it was easy to just reach my hand in. We did have home grown Sp for thanksgiving, which was my goal at the time.

The next beds I build will definitely be table tops, if only for their portability.

Btw, I find that cilantro can be planted any month of the year. In the summer it bolts fast but has great flavor. In the winter it stays steady longer but the flavor is more mild.