It’s starting to get chilly

Autumn is a glorious season, noted for its stunning hues of red, gold and brown as it changes from the greens and vibrant colours of the summer months.  Although the main growing season is almost over, there is still plenty to do in the garden.

October is a time for the big clean up. Out with the old, or protected during the colder months, and in with the new. It's a great time to be outdoors, so pull on those winter woollies and enjoy the fresh air!

Vegetables, fruit and flowers:

• Check stored vegetables for ones that have started to rot and remove. Lift root vegetables such as beetroot and potatoes, and store. 
• Buy autumn onion/shallots and garlic and start to plant.
• As the weather gets cooler, remove any green tomatoes and bring them inside to ripen.
• Divide bulky, rhubarb crowns to create new plants.
• Harvest pumpkins ready for Halloween carving and delicious soup and pies!
• Start to bring inside any houseplants that have been outside for the summer as well as less hardy plants, such as citrus, before the frosts set in.
• Clear and cut back borders and add a good compost or soil conditioner such as 6X Natural Plant Feed. This will act as a mulch and replenish lost nutrients.
• Sweet peas can be planted for overwintering in a frost-free environment. Plant out winter flowering plants such as pansies, winter flowering heathers etc.
• Now is a good time to create your winter ornamental tubs and visit your local garden centre or nursery for inspiration. While you’re there also look at spring bulbs for planting out or for use in ornamental baskets.

Lawns, hedges and trees:

• Collect any fallen leaves on lawned areas to enable it to breathe. Left fallen leaves can kill the grass beneath or leave brown patches.
• Scarify and aerate lawns to improve drainage.
• Raise the cutting height on your mower and add an autumn feed to help prepare the lawn for next season.
• Trim hedges.
• If the soil is still warm, it is an ideal time to plant ‘bare root’ fruit trees.
• Inspect apple trees for aphids and other insects. Apply a winter wash, such as Vitax Winter Tree Wash to further protect trees.
• Apply tree bands or fruit tree grease to prevent crawling insect or moth infestations on fruit trees such as apple, cherry, pear and plum, and ornamental trees.
• Finish pruning trained fruit trees and wisteria. Don’t prune cherry, plum or apricots until spring.

The greenhouse:

• Deep clean the greenhouse to get rid of overwintering pests. Use a greenhouse fumigator as a first step before disinfecting shelves, tools etc with a greenhouse disinfectant. 
• Before bringing in any plants, check for insects and bugs to reduce infestations.

General:

• Take a good look at the garden and reflect on this year’s successes and plan for next year!
• Clean and replenish bird feeders to prevent contamination.
• Pressure wash patios and decking and treat.
• Make any repairs to fences, sheds and raised beds.
• Make your own compost bin.

October is a busy month in the garden, with the above just the tip of a long ‘To-Do’ list.

Most of all, take time to enjoy the crispness in the air and the glorious change of season.

Enjoy!