Reseeding lawn, planting trees and shrubs, dividing perennials are early October chores

The second week of October is your last chance to reseed bald spots in the lawn and to overseed a thin or sparse lawn.

Seeding now means the autumn rains should keep the new bed moist for you. Use a Northwest seed mix so that the new grass will more easily blend with the old. Be sure to loosen the soil and rake it smooth in the areas that you reseed.

Q. Is it too late to add trees and shrubs to our new landscape? We just moved to a new home and there are great sales at the nurseries, but I am worried that when winter comes, the cold will kill off our newly planted, bargain shrubs. We want to plant a hedge of arborvitae, a Japanese maple and some groundcover in the shade like pachysandra or vinca. — R.K., Bonney Lake

A. Dig in! You can have a growing success by landscaping in the fall but you must follow a few tips.

First, soak the roots of the potted plants the night before planting by sitting the pot in a bucket of water overnight or watering the container slowly several times to make sure the root ball is soaked.

Second, when you remove the shrub or tree from the container, check the roots. If they are compacted or twisted, use a knife to slice into the roots in four evenly spaced locations. Try to tease the roots to aim outward a bit before placing the plant into the hole.

Third, water the surrounding soil well immediately after planting and add a mulch of at least 2 inches. The mulch will help to regulate the soil temp just in case we have a hard freeze in November before the newly planted shrubs have settled in.

Now go forth and find those bargains.

Q. I have an Anthurium as a new houseplant. I was told they are hard to grow indoors. What tips can you give me to keep it alive? — P.P., email

A. This exotic houseplant sometimes called Flamingo Flower or Little Boy Plant can be a diva if not given enough humidity or allowed to dry out.

Keep the soil moist at all times. This means your houseplant may need water every few days. It also needs plenty of moisture in the air so mist often or grow it in a steamy bathroom with a bright window.

Anthurium needs bright light but no direct sun or the leaves can burn. Repot every two years.

Your reward will be a spectacular performance with waxy, shield-shaped blooms and those unusual, protruding anthers. A really great show is the reason we are willing to cater to divas.

Q. I have old hosta plants and old daylilies in a bed. Is October too late to dig up these perennials and divide them? I would like to take pieces of them to my daughter’s new house. — O.M., Gig Harbor

A. What a lovely house warming gift. Fall is a fine time to attack hosta, daylily and other hardy perennials with a shovel or an ax and chop off sections from an old plant. It is the center of an old perennial clump that will die out first, so removing from the side of the clump will give you the most vigorous new sections to replant.

Don’t worry if the leaves fall off after or during the transplant operation. The roots will still be alive and should be planted immediately into a pot or new bed.

You will be helping to preserve a lovely garden tradition. Bringing a “pass-along” plant to new homeowners is also a way to spread the use of attractive, easy-care perennials.

Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of several books. Reach her at binettigarden.com.

This story was originally published October 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Reseeding lawn, planting trees and shrubs, dividing perennials are early October chores."