As nature prepares for its annual transformation, October presents a golden opportunity to nurture our gardens and revel in the beauty of this transitional month. From planting bulbs for stunning spring blooms to harvesting the last of our crops and preparing our outdoor spaces for the cooler months, there's much to be done.
Flower Garden
- Replace summer bedding as it comes to the end with winter bedding.
- Plant spring flowering bulbs.
- Split and divide perennials and cut down dying tops.
- Move tender plants under cover in cold weather.
- Plant trees and shrubs.
Kitchen Garden
- Finish picking apples and pears only store undamaged fruit.
- Sow overwintering onions and garlic.
- Plant spring cabbage plants.
- Lift and divide rhubarb crowns.
Greenhouse
- Remove greenhouse shading and install bubble insulation
- Plant early spring bulbs in pots
- Bring in tender plants to overwinter
- Give the greenhouse a good clean inside to reduce overwintering pests
The Lawn
- Once the dry weather comes to an end scarify and aerate the lawn
- Apply autumn lawn feed
- Keep removing dead leaves from the lawn
- Lay new lawns with turf
General Advice
- Plant up prepared hyacinths for Christmas flowering
- Make sure planted pots are raised off the ground to aid drainage
- Make a note of which plants didn’t perform well this year so they can be replaced next year
Pond
- As the fish get less active start feeding with a wheatgerm feed
- Give a final, light thinning of oxygenating plants
- Net your pond to prevent falling leaves going in and decomposing in the water