Start harvesting your winter squash. The vegetables are ready to pick when
the stem begins to shrivel. Harvest before the first frost; cure by letting
squash sit in the sun for at least three days, turning daily. Squash will keep
for up to five months if stored in a cool, dry place.
Watch for mosaic virus on squash and cucumber plants, which is spread by
aphids and cucumber beetles. The disease causes leaves to become rough and
mottled. Plants can be stunted and fruit can turn whitish. It's best to remove
and discard diseased plants; do not add them to your compost pile.
Leave grass clippings on the lawn when you mow. They provide nitrogen, and
help retain moisture. Mow lawn frequently. Cutting more than one-third of the
height off at any one time stresses the lawn, leaving it more vulnerable to
pests and disease.
Fertilize bougainvillea, and take the opportunity to do some minor pruning
to shape or direct growth. If the plant is growing on a wall, cut back the long
stems to keep producing flowering wood. (Save the hard pruning for springtime.)
Deep-water trees this month if you didn't do it in August. Use a soaker or
drip hose around the drip line of the tree; let it drip slowly for two to three
hours.
Demo garden renovated
Want some hands-on advice? Be sure to check out the newly
renovated Master Gardener Demo Garden at McClellan Ranch in Cupertino. The Master Gardeners, who are
on-site every Saturday, conduct seasonal vegetable trials and have created
"critter-proof" raised beds. The garden is located at 22221 McClellan Road.
What to plant now
Transplants: arugula, beets, Swiss chard, broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Asian greens, spinach, mustard and many varieties
of lettuce.
Seeds: arugula, beets, carrots, lettuce, Swiss chard, fava beans, peas,
onion, radishes, spinach, and direct plantings of garlic and potatoes.
Have a question for Rebecca Jepsen or the other Santa Clara
County Master Gardeners? Call the hotline, 408-282-3105, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. on weekdays or check www.mastergardeners.org.