Garden tips for October

Spring is in the air!

No, you didn’t read that wrong – spring is definitely in the air! October is the ideal month to plant those spring bulbs, early vegetables and think about next seasons crops.

Summer is barely over and the preparation starts again for a bountiful 2023. The weather is still mild, and if you are lucky, you’ll be enjoying the final throes of summer colour before those gorgeous autumnal hues take over.

Autumn is slowly getting into its stride which means turning our attention to keeping the garden free of freshly fallen leaves which can hinder growth of autumn and winter blooms.

The days may be getting shorter and colder, but October is normally full of crisp blues skies – perfect weather for pottering.

Last of the summer crops

• Now is the time to gather those last summer crops before the early frost sets in. Tomatoes that are still green will need to be picked and put somewhere sunny to ripen. Keep on the vine as this will help.
• It’s never too early to think about protecting fruit trees. Keep insects at bay by using a winter tree wash and investing in tree bands or fruit tree grease to prevent infestations, or take a look at our ‘Protecting trees in winter for summer success’ blog. 
• Sprouts, leeks, carrots and squashes will all be ready for harvesting.
• Prepare for the new season by planting early peas for harvest in spring as well as vegetables such as cauliflower and broad beans.
• For an early spring harvest, plant out spring cabbage and kale.
• Root vegetables such as onions and garlic can be planted now. Planting garlic will enable it to establish roots before winter and have a head start early in the season.
• Apple trees will still be bearing fruit and ripe for the picking.  They make great pies, but also juice and cider!
• Herbs can be sown all year round and kept on the windowsill.
• Plant salad leaves for some crisp autumn leaves.  As the weather gets colder, these will go dormant and re-grow in the spring.

Plant now for blooming success:

• It’s true – time to plant those spring bulbs in pots, containers and borders for early blooms.
• Sow sweet peas and store in the greenhouse or under a cold frame.
• Protect ferns and less hardy plants with fleece or another covering over the winter.
• Whilst bare-root plants can be planted all year round, we are coming into bare-root season. Roses, ornamental trees and shrubs can all be planted now so roots can establish before the frosts set in. To further help root development sprinkle Q4 Rootmore in the bottom of the planting hole.  This contains mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial organisms and biostimulants to create stronger more resilient plants.
• As summer flowers fade away, re-plant pots and containers with winter bedding plants.
• Daffodils, crocuses, winter pansies and allium bulbs can now be planted. Try planting daffodils and crocuses in lawns for added colour.
• Finally sow other hardy annuals ready for next year.
• Lift and store tender perennials.
• Lift dahlia tubers and overwinter.
• Take cuttings of your favourite plants and hardwood cuttings.
• Once plants are dormant, this is a good time lift and move them to new locations.
• If you are lifting plants to overwinter, make sure you check for disease and aphids before bringing them into the greenhouse to protect other plants.
• Don’t forget your houseplants!

Keeping the garden in tip-top condition:

• Add much needed nutrients back into the soil to give it time to restore its strength ready for next season.  Add mulch and good soil conditioner such as 6X Natural Fibrous Fertiliser. 
• Remove shading from the greenhouse with Summer Cloud Greenhouse Cleaner and disinfect with Greenhouse Disinfectant.
• Use the disinfectant to give bird baths and feeders a good clean before re-stocking with water, nuts and seeds.
• Remove all stakes, netting etc, clean and store.
• Lay new turf between now and November and give established lawns one final mow on a high setting.

It may be the witching month, but your garden can look as great in autumn as it did in summer. Get those pumpkins ready for Halloween and dig out those pumpkin recipes  - autumn is finally here!