October is one of my favorite months of the year. The days are mild 

with 

low humidity and little wind. Nights get cooler, sometimes cold enough 

for a fire in the fireplace. As the days shorten the leaves turn their 

brilliant colors. And many ornamental trees and shrubs sport colorful 

ripe berries.

But it is a bittersweet time as the leaves fall signally the winding 

down of the growing season. Just this week we received a notice in the 

mail from the township with instructions for leaf pick-up. I think 

everyone has fond memories of raking leaves or at least the fun they 

had 

jumping the piles after someone else’s hard work.

When I see all the leaves raked to the curb throughout town I wonder if 

the homeowners realize what they are throwing away. Fallen leaves, 

along 

with twigs and bark, are part of nature’s mulching system. In the woods 

the fallen leaves protect roots, seedlings and tender plants through 

the 

winter. Over time this mulch layer decomposes adding valuable nutrients 

and organic matter to the soil. It’s a natural recycling system with no 

waste.

Gardeners can take a hint or two from nature and put the leaves to good 

use in their landscape. Leaves that fall in the shrub and flower 

borders 

can be left there as mulch. Use some to lightly cover newly planted 

perennials to prevent winter heaving. Rose bushes should be protected 

through the winter with light mulch around the crowns (the graft union 

at the base of the plant). Leaves are the perfect choice.

In the vegetable garden leaves can be used to cover the bare soil. 

Shredding them first is beneficial. The shredded leaves will decompose 

faster and start to add organic matter to the soil sooner. In my own 

vegetable garden I add a layer of shredded leaves and grass clippings 

to 

all the raised beds. By the following spring most of this layer is well 

rotted. The remainder is left in place as mulch for early spring crops.

Leaves can be shredded using a chipper/shredder machine or simply run 

over them a few times with a mower. About the only area in the yard 

that 

you shouldn’t let the leaves accumulate is on the lawn. A covering of 

leaves can smother the grass if left there long enough.

Any leaves that are left after tending to all the garden areas can be 

gathered into the compost pile. Dried leaves are the primary source of 

brown material for the compost pile. The brown material balances all 

the 

greens that have accumulated in the pile all summer. Grass clippings, 

weeds and vegetable trimmings are all green materials in the compost 

equation.

Another favorite gardening ritual of fall is planting bulbs. It seems 

that no matter how complete your garden may be there is always 

somewhere 

to tuck in a few bulbs. Ideally bulbs should be planted before the 

ground freezes. They need to establish roots before it’s too cold, but 

without initiating shoot or leaf growth. In our zone 6 that time is 

between mid-October and mid-December.

Most bulbs aren’t too fussy about soil type; just pick an area that is 

well drained and mostly sunny. They can be added to perennial beds, 

shrub borders, rock gardens, woodlands, lawns and containers. If you 

like the natural look of bulbs planted in the lawn, be sure to choose a 

site that doesn’t need to be mowed early in the spring. After the 

flowers fade the foliage continues to grow for about six weeks before 

it 

dies back.

Bulbs need to be planted right side up. Most varieties are tapered at 

the top, similar to an onion. The bottom of the bulb often has some 

remnants of dried roots. If in doubt you can plant the bulb in question 

sideways and it will grow properly. Follow the guide for planting depth 

that accompanies your bulb purchase. The general rule is to plant four 

times deeper than the bulb diameter.

Compost, bone meal or bulb fertilizer can be added to the planting 

soil. 

Bulb planting tools can be helpful for planting one bulb at a time. For 

clumps or mass plantings it may be easier to use a trowel or a shovel. 

Water the bulbs after planting and spread a 2-inch layer of mulch. Use 

a 

few more of those fallen leaves!

Beth Nardone, botanist, is a resident of Hillsborough and is the 

Nursery 

Manager at the Belle Mead Co-Op. Questions and comments can be sent to 

bethtanical@patmedia.net