Gardening Chores - October

October:

October brings a definite chill to the air, with first heavy frosts becoming more common. This is your last opportunity to plant spring bulbs like tulips and alliums. The main focus is on tidying up: clear fallen leaves, cut back perennials and plant any new trees, shrubs or hedges to get them established before winter.

In the Flower Garden

Now is the perfect time to plant out your spring bedding plants like wallflowers, primulas, and violas for a burst of colour next season.
Get your spring showstopper ready by planting spring-flowering bulbs now.
Now is a great time to prune any winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering. This will help them to put their energy into growing new stems.
Cut back faded perennials.
To keep them looking good for a little while longer, continue to dead-head, water and feed your hanging baskets.
After the first frost, lift any dahlia and canna tubers/rhizomes and store them in a cool, dark place for winter.
Raise pots off patios to prevent them from sitting in water and freezing.
Bring any tender plants inside to a greenhouse or conservatory to protect them from the cold.

The Vegetable Plot & Orchard

Harvest your vegetables and get them ready for winter storage. This includes maincrop potatoes, along with any remaining beans, carrots, and cabbages.
Dig over the soil once your crops have been harvested to prepare it for next year's planting.
Make sure your Brussels sprouts plants are securely in the ground, and add a high-nitrogen feed if their leaves begin to yellow.

Lawns & Hedges

Rake up any fallen leaves from your lawn, flower beds, patios, and paths. You can shred them and add them to your compost heap.
This is your last chance to scarify, aerate, and top dress your lawn.
Apply an autumn lawn feed to give the grass the nutrients it needs to survive the winter.

Trees, Shrubs & Bushes

This is the ideal month for moving and planting new trees, shrubs, climbers, and hedges.
Prune back your berry bushes and plant new fruit canes if required.
Trim deciduous trees in order to keep them tidy during the winter months.
Take hardwood cuttings from Rosa, Salix, and Forsythia.
Check that all tree ties are secure and intact in case of winter storms.

In the Greenhouse

If possible, open greenhouse vents on warmer days to allow for good ventilation.
Clean, disinfect, and insulate your greenhouse if you haven't already.

General Garden Maintenance

Keep up the maintenance of garden sheds, fences, and furniture.
Clean and store away any garden furniture you won't be using over the colder months.
Check for any signs of white rust on chrysanthemums.
Clean algae and moss from patios, paths, and decks.
Continue to protect your plants from slugs and snails.