October brings with it a big change in both weather and gardening habits. As the first frosts arrive by the middle of the month, all range of gardening tasks end as a whole host of new one commence.

October spells the beginning of the dormant season for all our garden plants and national trees and as a result our countryside turns all colours of red, brown and orange. Combined with the colourful display from our trees is the low sun and red sky sunsets which give a radiant glow to our Autumnal evenings.

Things to Consider

While the first frosts always arrive in October, it is always difficult to pin down exactly which day / night it will occur. For this reason it is important to be prepared for the worst throughout the month and stay tuned to weather forecasts.

The traditional planting season comes into play in October. As plants go dormant, it is the best time to lift, transplant, prune, divide and take hardwood cuttings. In general it can be said that anything done in Spring should not be done in October and vice versa.

Things to Do

In the Fruit & Veg Garden

1. Harvesting is the biggest job of them all. Most vegetables including most carrots, onions, all squash, courgettes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, pumpkins and cabbage should be harvested before the first frosts. While brussels sprouts, turnips & kale all benefit from a bit of frost to ripen
2. If you get caught out by the frost, you should protect and cover your crops with straw to insulate them
3. Tie up onions in a cool and well aired place to allow them to firm up before using
4. Greenhouse grown cabbage can be transplanted out into prepared beds prior to the beginning of the month
5. Ensure that these tender plants are covered by a mini greenhouse or cloche
6. By the end of the month you can start to plant garlic and hardy pea varieties
7. If conditions are suitably dry you can start to prepare idle beds for next Spring. Dig over, add rotted farm yard manure and rake over
8. You can also sow green manure on idle beds now

In the Greenhouse

1. Close greenhouse doors in evenings and keep shut unless sunny weather prevails
2. October is a good time to do a ‘Spring’ cleanup of greenhouses. Clear away old pots and tray and clean down surfaces to prevent a spread of diseases from one season into the next
3. Tie down lighter greenhouses in windy weather

Plant Care

1. Divide herbaceous perennials such as sedums, geraniums, heuchera and many more
2. Transplant any plants that have outgrown or are beginning to be outgrown by other plants
3. Take hardwood cuttings of a range of deciduous trees and shrubs
4. Prune back unruly roses and climber roses
5. Plant out Spring flowering bulbs
6. Lift dahlias, clean, dry and store indoors over the Winter months
7. Cut back tall herbaceous plants after flowering such as Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Verbena and others
8. Plant out Spring bedding such as Winter pansies, primroses, cyclamen and wallflowers
9. Bare root season starts at the end of the month (weather dependent) so plant early to give your hedging the best possible start

Lawn Care

1. Mostly all quiet on the lawn front
2. In wet conditions it is best to stay off the lawn
3. Give the last cut of the year around the end of the month. Avoid cutting in frosty conditions. Set the blade high, just to top the lawn

General Maintenance

1. Stay on top of fallen leaves and rake up every 2 weeks. Use a leaf blower for quick & effective results
2. Neaten up borders for the Winter months
3. Put away garden furniture before the heavy frosts
4. Cover over chimeneas, benches & other features with garden furniture covers
5. Give lawn mowers a service and remove petrol before putting away for the Winter