The third week of October is a good time to bring in or protect any tender bulbs, geraniums or tender potted plants such as Abutilon or flowering maple.

In Western Washington, the winters are often mild enough to just cover tender bulbs of canna and dahlias with wood ashes, a tarp or fern fronds to keep out the winter rains and stop them from rotting. Potted geraniums can be left in their containers and moved to a cold but not freezing shed or placed up close to the house for winter protection. Water just once a month to keep your geraniums dormant through the winter.

Keep raking fallen leaves from your lawn this month as a mat of leaves will smother lawn grasses and allow for more weeds to move in during the spring.

Rather than sending the fall foliage away in the green bin, store thos

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