Jobs in the garden for October

October is a pivotal month in the gardening calendar, marking the transition from the warmth of summer to the cooler, crisper days of autumn. As temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, there are numerous tasks to be done in the garden to prepare for winter and ensure a thriving garden next spring. Whether you are an avid gardener or someone new to tending plants, here’s our guide to the essential jobs you should tackle in your garden during October.

1. Prepare Your Garden for Frost

One of the most critical aspects of October gardening is preparing for the first frost, which typically occurs in late autumn. Frost can damage tender plants and fruits, so it’s essential to be proactive.

• Bring tender plants indoors: Move delicate potted plants like geraniums, succulents, or any houseplants that have been enjoying the summer outdoors into the house or greenhouse before the temperature drops.
• Cover vulnerable plants: Use horticultural fleece, cloches, or even old sheets to protect delicate plants and crops that can’t be moved. Plants like basil, tomatoes, and courgettes are particularly frost-sensitive.
• Harvest final crops: As frost approaches, harvest any remaining summer vegetables like tomatoes, beans, and peppers. Even if some are unripe, they can ripen indoors.

2. Tidy Up Garden Beds

Tidying up your garden beds is an important job that helps keep diseases and pests at bay and makes your garden look neater for the winter months.

• Remove annuals: By October, many summer-flowering annuals, such as marigolds, petunias, and begonias, are likely past their best. Pull them up and compost them unless they are diseased.
• Cut back perennials: Some perennials benefit from being cut back in autumn. Plants like peonies, delphiniums, and daylilies can be pruned to around 5 cm (2 inches) above the ground. However, leave seed heads on plants like echinacea and rudbeckia for birds to enjoy and to add winter interest.
• Weed thoroughly: Removing weeds is always crucial, but in autumn, it’s particularly important as you want to prevent them from setting seed and spreading over winter. Pull out weeds by hand or use a hoe to loosen them from the soil.

3. Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs

October is the perfect month for planting spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths. These bulbs need to establish their roots before the ground freezes.

• Choose the right location: Plant bulbs in well-drained soil, and in areas where they will receive plenty of sunlight in the spring. Group them in clusters or drifts for a natural-looking display.
• Plant at the right depth: As a rule of thumb, plant bulbs at a depth that is roughly three times their height. For example, if a bulb is 2 inches tall, plant it 6 inches deep.
• Consider layering bulbs: If you have limited space, try layering different types of bulbs in the same area. For example, plant daffodils at the bottom of a pot, with tulips above them and crocuses near the surface. This technique creates a stunning multi-flowered display in the spring.

4. Divide and Transplant Perennials

October is an excellent time to divide overcrowded perennials and transplant them to new areas of the garden. Dividing perennials improves their health and vigour, encouraging better growth next year.

• Which plants to divide: Many perennials such as hostas, asters, and daylilies benefit from being divided every few years. Plants that have developed a bare patch in the middle or are flowering poorly are prime candidates.
• How to divide: Use a sharp spade or garden fork to lift the plant from the ground, and carefully divide the root ball into sections, ensuring each section has roots and shoots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing previously, and water them in well.

5. Prepare the Lawn for Winter

October is a crucial month for lawn care, as your grass needs attention before it enters the winter. Healthy autumn lawn care ensures a lush, green lawn come spring.

• Rake up leaves: Fallen leaves can smother your lawn, blocking light and air. Rake them up regularly, and either compost them or use them to make leaf mould.
• Mow the lawn: Keep mowing your lawn, but raise the cutting height as growth slows. Grass should be left slightly longer going into winter (around 2.5-4 cm), which helps it withstand cold temperatures.
• Aerate the soil: If your lawn is compacted, aerate it by spiking the soil with a garden fork or aerator to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the roots.
• Feed and repair: Apply an autumn lawn feed rich in potassium, which strengthens the grass for winter. Now is also a good time to reseed any bare patches.

6. Compost and Mulch

Building up your compost pile and adding mulch to your garden beds are important jobs for October. Organic material breaks down slower in colder months, so now’s the time to top up.

• Add organic matter: Add kitchen waste, grass clippings, and fallen leaves to your compost pile. Remember to mix in some brown material (like shredded paper or twigs) to balance the greens and speed up decomposition.
• Apply mulch: Spread a layer of organic mulch, such as well-rotted compost, bark, or leaf mould, around your flower beds and vegetable patches. Mulching helps insulate the soil, protect plant roots from freezing, and suppress weeds.

7. Care for Trees and Shrubs

Autumn is an ideal time to plant new trees and shrubs, as the soil is still warm, allowing roots to establish before winter sets in.

• Plant trees and shrubs: Dig a hole wide and deep enough to accommodate the root ball, and mix in compost to improve soil fertility. Water newly planted trees and shrubs regularly until the ground freezes.
• Prune deciduous trees: Once the leaves have fallen, you can prune deciduous trees to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. However, avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs, which form their buds in autumn.

8. Tend to the Vegetable Garden

For those with vegetable gardens, October is the month to harvest, clear out, and prepare the beds for winter.

• Harvest root vegetables: Beets, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes should all be harvested before the ground freezes. You can leave hardy root crops like parsnips in the ground, covering them with mulch to keep them fresh until needed.
• Plant garlic and onions: October is a great time to plant garlic and onion sets. These hardy crops benefit from a period of cold, which helps them establish strong roots before growing in the spring.
• Cover vegetable beds: Once the vegetable garden is cleared, consider covering it with black plastic or a thick layer of mulch to prevent weeds and protect the soil over winter.

9. Tidy the Greenhouse

If you have a greenhouse, now’s the time to give it a good clean and prepare it for the winter months.

• Clean thoroughly: Remove all plants and give the greenhouse a deep clean. Disinfect surfaces, wash windows, and clear out any pests that may have made a home inside.
• Check heating: If you plan to overwinter plants in your greenhouse, ensure your heating system is in working order. Consider installing a frost protection heater to keep tender plants safe during cold snaps.

10. Wildlife Care

Finally, don’t forget about the wildlife in your garden. October is a tough month for many creatures, so help them out with a few simple tasks.

• Feed the birds: Set up bird feeders and keep them stocked with high-energy foods like sunflower seeds and suet to help birds through the colder months.
• Provide shelter: Leave some areas of your garden a little wild to provide shelter for insects and small animals. Piles of leaves, logs, and untidy hedgerows create homes for creatures like hedgehogs, frogs, and beneficial insects.

 

October is a month of preparation and maintenance in the garden. By completing these essential jobs, you’ll not only protect your plants through the winter but also lay the groundwork for a flourishing garden next year. From planting bulbs to tending the lawn and caring for wildlife, these tasks will keep your garden looking beautiful and thriving year after year.