Things to notice:
Enjoy traditional fall favorites in the garden like mums, zinnias and dahlias.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/mum-icon.png)
Monarch butterflies are migrating south this month. Planting alyssum, lantana, and milkweed in your garden will help them refuel with nectar.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/butterfly-icon.png)
Roses are back in bloom, filling the autumn air with wonderful fragrance! If you let the blossoms ripen, they’ll form rose hips, which are full of vitamin C and
can be used in making tea.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/rose-icon-bw.png)
Resist the urge to deadhead bushes and flowers right now—allow plants to set seeds and fruit for wildlife.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/plant-apricot-icon-1.png)
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/oct-peppers.jpg)
Chile Peppers, Assorted varieties
“If you’ve never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden.” — Robert Brault
Things to do:
When high temperatures stay below 100° reduce your watering to harden off plants for winter. This limits tender new growth and helps reduce frost damage when colder temperatures arrive.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/plant-apricot-icon-1.png)
Pick pistachios and begin to harvest chiles, pumpkins and winter squash.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/pepper-icon.png)
You can still plant a late crop of leaf lettuces, spinach and radishes.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/root-icon.png)
October is a perfect time to plant garlic. In lower desert elevations, plant individual cloves 1-2” deep. At high elevations with more severe winters, plant 3-4” deep.
![](https://southwestliving.tv/wp-content/uploads/garlic-icon.png)