Regional Gardening Calendar for October

"While gardeners in warm areas will have more to do than their northern counterparts, there are plenty of garden tasks to keep everyone busy in October," says Marie Iannotti, About's Gardening Guide. As the colder weather encroaches, what you need to be doing in the yard will obviously depend on where you live. That's the beauty of regional gardening calendars. Consult Marie's regional gardening calendar for October to make sure you're not forgetting any important fall chores. I think my favorite item on her list is, "Use your garden debris and leaves to start a compost pile." Why? Because this task should inspire all but the most pessimistic to think of spring: the compost you're starting now will feed next spring's plants. Besides, I love contemplating the compost pile's ability to turn trash into treasure!

_{Photo ©2006 David Beaulieu (licensed to About.com)}