October is a month of transition—summer’s heat has faded, nights are cooler, and the first frosts may be just around the corner. For gardeners in Eastern North Carolina, this is the perfect time to plant, tidy, and prepare for both fall beauty and spring success.

What’s Blooming & Colorful Now

• Flowers in bloom: Asters, goldenrod, chrysanthemums, and Franklinia trees
• Berries for fall interest: American beautyberry, hollies (Burford, Chinese, Foster, Nellie Stevens), nandina, pyracantha, and Washington hawthorn

Planting Priorities

• Spring-Flowering Bulbs: Plant daffodils, tulips, crocus, and hyacinths now. Fertilize at planting with a balanced bulb food.
• Landscape Plants: October is an excellent month to set out new shrubs and trees—cooler temps reduce stress and encourage root growth.
• Peonies: Plant or transplant peonies this month for best establishment.
• Fall Annuals: Continue planting pansies, violas, and ornamental kale for long-lasting color.
• Vegetables: Sow lettuce, kale, spinach, radishes, carrots, and green onions in cold frames or raised beds for winter harvests.
• Cover Crops: If you’re not growing fall vegetables, plant annual rye, barley, or wheat to enrich soil and prevent erosion.

Pruning & Cleanup

• Cut back herbaceous perennials after frost kills the tops.
• Root‑prune trees or shrubs you plan to move next spring.
• Rake fallen leaves regularly to prevent lawn smothering—compost them for rich organic matter.

Lawn & Soil Care

• Overseed cool‑season grasses like tall fescue if needed.
• Aerate compacted areas to improve root growth.
• Test soil pH and add lime if necessary—fall is the best time for adjustments.

Wildlife & Pollinator Notes

•  Leave seed heads on some perennials (like coneflowers) to provide food for birds.
• Goldenrod and asters are still vital nectar sources for migrating pollinators.

October Checklist

Closing Thought

October is about laying foundations—for fall color, winter harvests, and spring blooms. With a little planning now, your Eastern North Carolina garden will reward you with beauty and abundance in the seasons ahead.