October marks a turning point in the gardening calendar. The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, and while many plants are beginning to die back for the winter, this is by no means the end of gardening season. In fact, October is a month of the 3 P’s: preparation, protection and planting!
Why it matters…One of the most visible signs of autumn is the falling of leaves. There are pros and cons of fallen leaves. Fallen leaves do benefit gardens by creating habitats for creatures like beetles, centipedes, frogs, toads, slow worms and hedgehogs. Many of those creatures eat slugs and snails so they benefit your garden. In addition, fallen leaves create a natural mulch around plants and will break down to add organic matter to your soil. However, leaves can cause issues in gardens too. Fallen leaves make garden paths slippery and when left on your lawn fallen leaves can cause lawn rot and issues (especially when left in a thick layer). So our advice is to remove leaves from paths and lawns only and if you don’t want to put them on your garden borders, add some to your composter and/or collect some in a wire bin to make leaf mould which is an excellent soil conditioner for the spring.
Practical Tips:
– To do the job you will need a rake, stiff brush and compost bin. We also sell ‘big hands’ which enable you to pick up a big pile of leaves with your hands.
Why it matters… Before the weather turns wet and frosty, clean and cover or clean and store away your garden furniture. All garden furniture will weather if left outside with no protection and so covering or storing them helps keep the look of your furniture and preserve its useable life
Practical Tips:
– Use a stiff brush and soapy water to clean wood.
– Wooden furniture may benefit from a coat of protective oil or sealant.
– If you use a cover make sure it is weighted or tied securely at the base.
Why it matters… Winds pick up in autumn, so check all garden structures (fences, trellises & arches) for stability.
Tips:
– Tighten loose screws and hammer down any protruding nails.
– Treat wooden structures with wood preservative if needed.
Recommendations:
– Seed trays with clear lids help you germinate seeds indoors.
– Fine seed compost is ideal for delicate seeds.
Why it matters…If your grass is still growing, give it a final cut this month, but raise the cutting height to avoid scalping the lawn.
Tips:
– Don’t mow if the ground is very wet or frozen.
– Leave some grass longer in corners for overwintering insects to shelter.
– Removing thatch and moss from your lawn will allow air and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass.
– Use a lawn scarifier or a spring-tine lawn rake to remove the thatch and moss.
– Aerate with a garden fork by pushing it 10–15 cm deep and wiggling slightly. Repeat as many times as possible about your lawn.
Top Buy:
– Miracle-Gro Autumn Lawn Care – Fortifies your lawn for the colder months ahead. See what lawn care products we have in store.
Why it matters…Many herbaceous perennials can be cut back to tidy up, but some should be left for winter interest or wildlife. Keep any flowers that have seed heads (like Echinacea or rudbeckia). Perennials that have formed overgrown clumps can be divided. That will include hostas & crocosmias. Divide them by using a couple of forks back to back to split the clump OR dig the whole clump up and then use a spade to divide the clump into smaller plants you can replant. Use fresh compost and water in well.
Tips:
– Apply a layer of mulch to help insulate the soil and protect your plant roots. The best materials to use are either a well-rotted manure or bark chippings, all available from our garden centre
Why it matters…Clear the last of your summer crops like courgettes, tomatoes and beans before the first frosts. You can use up any green tomatoes in a delicious green tomato chutneys or they may ripen if left indoors. Once your harvests are lifted, you may want to sow a green manure autumn mix. Green manure helps prevent your soil from eroding away during winter and from loosing nutrients. You simply sow and then turn the plants into the soil in spring. It’s a very affordable way of enriching your soil.
Practical Tips:
– October is ideal for planting overwintering varieties of onions, garlic and shallots. We have plenty of varieties in stock near our bulbs in the lower shop.
Why it matters…Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and tulips all go in the ground now for glorious spring colour.
Practical Tips:
– Plant daffodils and crocuses early in the month.
– Wait until late October or early November for tulips (reduces risk of tulip fire fungus).
– Plant bulbs two to three times their depth.
– Ensure good drainage to prevent rot, we recommend using bulb fibre compost.
Why it matters… Fill gaps in borders or containers with cheerful cool season blooms.
Plants to try:
– Pansies and violas
– Cyclamen
Why it matters…If you haven’t done this already, we recommend bringing in your citrus, chillies, or any frost-sensitive container plant.
Tips:
– Check them for pests like aphids and red spider mites before moving indoors
– Slow down on watering during the winter months.
Install Bird Feeders…Natural food becomes scarce in winter and so it is the time to start helping garden wildlife. Wild birds will love high energy foods like suet, sunflower hearts or peanuts. If you have squirrels you may want to look at our range of squirrel proof feeders. Don’t forget to provide shelter for your birds too. We have a lovely range of bird nest boxes which birds use a roosts over the winter.
Make a Leaf Pile for Hedgehogs…Natural food becomes scarce in winter and so it is the time to start helping garden wildlife. Wild birds will love high energy foods like suet, sunflower hearts or peanuts. If you have squirrels you may want to look at our range of squirrel proof feeders. Don’t forget to provide shelter for your birds too. We have a lovely range of bird nest boxes which birds use a roosts over the winter.
Check for Vine Weevils and Slugs…These pests often shelter around pots and in borders and their grubs will eat your plant roots and kill off plants if left to do their thing! Inspect containers regularly and use nematodes or traps if necessary.
October may bring cooler days and shorter evenings, but there’s still plenty to enjoy in the garden. A bit of planting, tidying and protection now will pay off when spring arrives, so wrap up warm, head outside, and make the most of this beautiful time of year.
Happy gardening!
Clyst St. Mary
Sidmouth Road, Clyst St. Mary,
Exeter, Devon, EX5 1AE.
Telephone: 01392 876281
Email: gardening@stbridgetnurseries.co.uk
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm*
Sundays 10.00am to 4.00pm*
Bank Holidays 9.00am to 5.00pm
*Cafe open until 4.30pm each day and until 3.30pm on Sundays.
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Easter Sunday.
