October is a pivotal month in the gardening calendar, marking the transition from the mild days of early autumn to the cooler, shorter days of late autumn and early winter. With the arrival of October, there’s a great deal of practical work to be done in your English garden to prepare for the winter months ahead, while also planting the seeds of next year’s success. Here are the key tasks to focus on in your garden this month.
October is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses and alliums. These bulbs need the cold winter months to establish their roots before bursting into colour when spring arrives.
Practical Tip: Plant bulbs at a depth about two to three times their size. For instance, if your tulip bulb is 5cm/2 inches tall, plant it 10-15cm / 4-6 inches deep. Ensure they are planted with the pointed end facing upwards. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot and ideally use bulb fibre as a planting media giving best results.
As perennial plants start to die back in October, it’s essential to cut them down to encourage new growth next year. However, leave plants with seed heads, like echinacea or allium, standing for a while. Their seeds provide food for birds and their skeletal structure adds interest to the winter garden.
Practical Tip: Use clean, sharp secateurs to cut back perennials to about 2-3 inches from the soil. Compost the healthy clippings but avoid composting diseased plant clippings.
By October, many vegetable and flower beds will be finished for the year. Remove dead plants and debris, turning over the soil to expose pests to the cold. It’s also an ideal time to dig in organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure, improving the soil’s structure and fertility for next year.
Practical Tip: Mulch bare soil with a thick layer of organic material (about 2-3 inches). This helps suppress weeds and keeps the soil warm. Over time, the mulch will break down and enrich your beds.
October offers cooler, wetter conditions, making it the perfect time to plant trees, shrubs and roses. The roots will have time to establish before the ground freezes, giving them a good head start for next spring.
Practical Tip: When planting, dig a hole that’s twice the width of the root ball but no deeper than its height. Water thoroughly after planting, and mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect roots from frost.
Many vegetables such as Kale, Brussels Sprouts and Parsnips thrive in the cool autumn air. Make sure to harvest these late crops before the weather turns too cold. At the same time, protect tender plants like pelargoniums and fuchsias from frost by bringing them indoors or into a greenhouse.
Practical Tip: Use horticultural fleece or cloches to protect crops that are still growing. You can also dig up tender plants, pot them and move them to a more sheltered location like a conservatory.
Fallen leaves can be both a blessing and a curse. While they’re beautiful to look at, if left to pile up on your lawn, they can suffocate the grass and promote disease. Rake them up regularly and consider adding them to a compost heap where they can break down into leaf mould, a valuable soil conditioner.
Practical Tip: Make lighter work by using products like Darlac’s Big Hands. These simple scoops enable you to pick up more leaves with your hands
As natural food sources dwindle, October is a good time to start supplementing garden birds’ diets by putting out feeders filled with seeds, suet and peanuts. Not only will you help the local bird population, but they can also help control pests in your garden.
Practical Tip: Place feeders in a sheltered spot, away from predators like cats. Clean your feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease among birds.
October is a busy and rewarding time for gardeners in the UK. By planting spring bulbs, tidying perennials, protecting tender plants, and prepping your garden for the colder months, you’ll ensure a healthy, vibrant garden in the spring. So, grab your gardening gloves and make the most of this golden autumn month!
Clyst St. Mary
Sidmouth Road, Clyst St. Mary,
Exeter, Devon, EX5 1AE.
Telephone: 01392 876281
Email: gardening@stbridgetnurseries.co.uk
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