Gardening Goals: October

Fall is an exciting and busy time of year.  School is in full swing and somehow I always seem to have grading to do, its kind of like weeding: always on your to-do list, you do it, and then it's time to weed again!  Before we get too far into October its time to set some goals.  I have a love of to-do lists.  I like to show completion with a smiley face :)  Accomplishments are happy times!  So here's my October to-do list:

• Clean-up garden: tomatoes look pathetic, but yet can't seem to part with them.  October is the month to say a final farewell.
• Harvest peanuts:  Peanuts are probably one of my favorite things to grow.  I think it's all about anticipation and peanuts sure do make you wait.  Takes almost 6 months from seed to harvest and then you have to dry for a couple of weeks!  
• Dry herbs: Mint, basil, oregano, thyme, tarragon- should be an easy goal to accomplish.
• Plant garlic:  I guess this is getting ahead of myself, because first I need to actually buy some garlic! 
• Order bulbs: I want to add bulbs to the front flower bed and have to decide what to plant and how many.  Very exciting!
• Add compost:  Feeding the garden is always important.
• Plant cover crops:  This is my first time planting cover crops, so I can't wait to see how they do during the winter.
• Mulch:  I plan to collect leaves for mulching, so this will have to wait until the trees decide to give up their leaves.
• Make cold frame: Another first.  I want to try growing some cool weather crops through the winter, so I need to assemble a simple cold frame.
• Finish planting fall garden:  I have a few more weeks of planting fall crops.  Going to have to remember to water too.  The past week has seen no rain and that's not encouraging my seeds to sprout.
• Paint potting shed trim:  This is one of those projects that seems to never get done, so Oct is the month!

Ok, I think its going to be a busy, busy month!  Happy October gardening :)