You want to start hardening things off for winter rather than encouraging tender new growth susceptible to freezing. Short days, cool nights, and reduced water and fertilizer causes woody plants to go dormant above ground for the winter. After the first frost when foliage has died down, tender bulbs such as canna, gladiolas, dahlias, and begonias will need to be dug up and stored for winter at about 40 degrees. To prolong your harvest, cover tender vegetables if freezes are expected. Harvest fruits as they ripen on your trees.
Records Keep garden records.
This will help you plan next year's planting program. October Cleanup General cleanup of all plant materials is in order. This includes perennials, annuals, vegetables, fallen leaves of shrubs and trees, old fruit, etc. Remember, good garden cleanup in the fall is the primary way to prevent disease and insect problems next year. By reducing the need for chemical use, you can reduce the amount of pesticide that may go into your watershed.