This week in the gardenPacific Northwest chores for Oct 4–10
Updated · Forecast for Bellingham, WA
Every Sunday we check the week’s forecast and pick the garden chores that matter most for Pacific Northwest gardens west of the Cascades — what to get done in the dry windows, what to finish before the rain, and what can safely wait.
This week’s weather
Monday–Thursday look like a small dry window with foggy mornings and highs around 58–63°F, then light drizzle returns Friday–Saturday (only a few hundredths of an inch). Do jobs that need dry soil midweek; avoid spreading fines or leaving debris to be driven into soggy ground once the weekend drizzle and Friday gusts arrive.
- Mon62°49°Fog, 1% chance of rain
- Tue58°51°Fog, 3% chance of rain
- Wed62°51°Fog, 0% chance of rain
- Thu63°52°Fog, 0% chance of rain
- Fri59°51°Drizzle, 25% chance of rain
- Sat56°45°Drizzle, 25% chance of rain
Garden chores for Oct 4–10
- Rake heavy leaf cover off lawns. Clear dense leaf mats Monday–Wednesday while it's dry so grass can breathe and before the weekend drizzle. Light leaf fall can be mulched with the mower; remove thick layers to prevent smothering and disease.
- Apply a fall lawn feed. Spread granular fall feed during the Mon–Thu dry window—best Tuesday–Thursday so granules settle before Friday's light drizzle. Avoid applying on Friday when gusts may reach ~16 mph and could blow product off target.
- Plant spring bulbs. Plant bulbs during the dry stretch (Mon–Thu): tulips 6–8 in deep, daffodils 4–6 in, crocus 3–4 in, alliums about 4–6 in. Firm soil over bulbs and water lightly if the planting holes are dry; don’t rely on the very light weekend drizzle to fully settle very dry holes.
- Water new plantings if needed. If you planted trees, shrubs, or perennials this year, check the root zone and give a deep soak during Mon–Thu if the soil is dry—aim to wet the top 6–12 inches. If the root zone is already moist, you can skip watering and let Friday–Saturday’s light drizzle top up surface moisture.
- Skim leaves from ponds and set nets if trees overhang. If you have a pond, skim floating leaves midweek so they don't rot over the weekend drizzle, and stretch a leaf net in place before Friday to catch fall drop. Clearing debris now keeps pumps and filters from clogging when wet weather arrives.
Safe to defer
Lift and store dahlias only after the first hard frost has blackened the foliage; wait so tubers have begun to go dormant before digging.
More fall garden guides
- PNW Frost Dates (A Gentle Guide)Confused by frost dates in the Pacific Northwest? This gentle guide explains PNW first and last frost, microclimates, and what to plant when.
- The Gentle Art of Growing GarlicLearn how to plant garlic in the fall, which types to choose, and how to care for your cloves through the PNW winter. A cozy, practical guide for big bulbs next summer.
- Tucking Your Dahlias In for WinterA gentle Odd Garden guide to overwintering dahlias in the rainy PNW — including my own failed “leave them in the ground and hope” experiments — and how to dig, cure, store, and revive tubers for a better bloom next year.
Written automatically each Sunday from the local forecast and our Pacific Northwest gardening calendar, with help from AI. Always check your own soil and conditions before you dig in.