As October arrives, gardeners often balance enjoying late-season blooms with preparing for winter. Deadheading, particularly for equatorial plants like dahlias, helps extend the season.

As days get shorter and nights become cooler, plants start to slow down. However, if you keep deadheading, you can help your plants bloom well into October or even later.

Deadheading is simple and only takes a bit of time and care. Use sharp scissors or pruners to remove any faded or wilting blooms. Cut just above a healthy set of leaves or buds to encourage new growth. This not only extends the flowering season but also keeps your garden looking vibrant until the first frosts.

There’s an undeniable satisfaction in squeezing the last blooms from your garden. Each fresh flower feels like a small victory over the encroaching cold. So, as you pull on your sweater and head outside, remember that a few extra minutes with your dahlias can reward you with weeks more beauty. Keep deadheading, and let your garden’s autumn encore shine.