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Homes & Gardens’ October gardening report recommends mulching perennials, shrubs, strawberries and garlic to help protect roots from cold and freeze-thaw cycles. It advises against thick organic mulch around Mediterranean herbs, succulents and cacti, which prefer drier conditions. The right choice depends on the plant and local conditions.
Homes & Gardens’ October 2026 gardening report recommends applying fall mulch to perennials, shrubs, strawberries and garlic to help protect roots and bulbs as temperatures fall, while warning that thick organic mulch can create overly wet conditions for Mediterranean herbs, succulents and cacti. The advice is conditional: plant type, soil drainage and local weather all affect whether mulching is suitable.
For established flower beds, the report suggests a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as compost or chopped leaves, around perennials including hostas, coneflowers, daylilies, peonies and coral bells. It says the layer can help insulate roots and add nutrients as it breaks down. Leaving perennial stems and seed heads in place through winter can also provide food and habitat for wildlife, the report says.
Shallow-rooted and newly planted shrubs, including azaleas, hydrangeas, spireas and euonymus, may benefit from a similar layer of wood chips or shredded bark. The mulch should not touch the trunk or stems. Wendy Hanson Mazet, a plant diagnostician with University of Nevada, Reno Extension, warns that mulch piled against woody growth can shelter rodents and give them access to bark and cambium tissue.
For strawberries, the report advises waiting until plants become dormant before applying a couple of inches of straw, particularly in colder areas such as U.S. hardiness zones 6 and below. The crown should remain uncovered, and dead or diseased foliage should be removed first. Garlic planted in fall can be covered with lightweight straw or chopped leaves to reduce exposure to severe cold and repeated freezing and thawing.
Protecting Roots Without Trapping Moisture
Mulch can moderate soil temperature, reduce moisture loss and help limit frost heave, when repeated freezing and thawing pushes plant crowns or bulbs upward. Those effects can help vulnerable roots make it through winter, particularly for newly planted shrubs and cold-climate strawberries.
But applying the same material everywhere can cause problems. The report says lavender, rosemary, sage and oregano prefer dry, well-draining conditions; heavy organic mulch around their crowns can retain moisture and raise the risk of rot or fungal disease. It suggests horticultural gravel as a drier alternative. Succulents and cacti are also described as poor candidates for moisture-retaining mulch in cold months. The practical takeaway is to match the mulch and its placement to the plant, rather than treating fall mulching as a universal garden task.
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Fall Mulch Depends on Plant Type
The report frames October as a common time to prepare gardens for winter, but its recommendations are not a fixed calendar rule for every location. For example, strawberry plants should be mulched after dormancy begins, indicated in the report by a reddish tint and wilting, rather than simply on a particular date. Climate matters too: the article specifically points to colder regions, including U.S. hardiness zones 6 and below, when discussing strawberry protection.
Suggested materials include compost, chopped leaves, bark and straw. Leaves can be gathered and chopped before spreading. For shrubs, the report favors bark or wood chips; for strawberries and garlic, it favors straw or other lightweight coverings. These are recommendations from the Homes & Gardens report, not a substitute for advice tailored to local soil, drainage and weather.
“When mulch is piled directly against trunks or stems, it provides both protection and easy access for rodents, which can ultimately lead to the decline or death of the plant.”
— Wendy Hanson Mazet, plant diagnostician with University of Nevada, Reno Extension
Local Conditions Still Matter
The report does not provide a single mulch schedule suitable for every region or garden. Local temperatures, soil drainage and plant establishment can change whether protection is needed and when to apply it. Its strawberry guidance singles out colder climates, but does not specify how gardeners outside those areas should adjust the method. The article also gives no specific mulch depth for garlic or a detailed treatment for every succulent and cactus species. Gardeners should avoid assuming that all plants in a broad group have identical needs.
Check Plants Before Spreading Mulch
Before applying mulch, identify which plants are present, check whether the soil drains well and look for signs that strawberries have gone dormant. Remove diseased strawberry foliage, spread suitable material around rather than against plants, and keep shrub trunks and strawberry crowns uncovered. Gardeners should follow local extension guidance for their climate and adjust the timing to conditions, rather than using October alone as the signal to mulch.
Key Questions
Which four plant groups does the report recommend mulching in October?
It names perennials, shrubs, strawberries and garlic. The suggested protection and material vary by plant and climate.
How deep should mulch be around perennials and shrubs?
The report recommends 2 to 3 inches for perennials and shrubs. Keep it away from shrub trunks and stems rather than piling it against the plant.
Should strawberries be mulched as soon as October begins?
No. The report says to wait until strawberry plants are dormant, which it describes as a reddish color and wilting. It recommends straw in colder areas and says not to cover the crown.
Which plants should generally be kept clear of thick organic mulch?
The report cautions against heavy mulch around Mediterranean herbs, succulents and cacti, because moisture retention may be harmful to plants that prefer dry conditions.
Can mulch touch a shrub’s trunk?
No. Keep a gap around trunks and stems. Wendy Hanson Mazet of University of Nevada, Reno Extension warns that mulch piled there can shelter rodents and give them access to bark and cambium tissue.
Source: rss
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