Gardening Jobs for October

Top 10 gardening jobs for October

October is a great month to give your garden a little care before winter. With the soil still holding some warmth, there’s plenty to plant, protect and prepare for the seasons ahead.

• Plant spring-flowering bulbs. Get daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths into borders and containers for a colourful spring display. Leave tulip planting until November.

• Give your lawn some autumn care. Rake out moss and thatch, clear fallen leaves and aerate compacted areas when the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen.

• Protect tender plants. Move frost-sensitive plants into a greenhouse or sheltered, frost-free space. Keep horticultural fleece handy for sudden cold nights.

• Collect fallen leaves. Gather leaves from lawns and paths and turn them into leaf mould. Store them in a wire cage or bags with air holes, keeping them damp.

• Plant trees and shrubs. Autumn is a good time to plant container-grown trees, shrubs and hedging while the soil is workable. Water them in well, even when the weather feels cool.

• Divide established perennials. Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of hardy plants, such as hardy geraniums, when the soil is workable. Replant healthy sections and water them in.

• Harvest and store your crops. Pick apples and pears as they ripen, storing sound fruit somewhere cool and airy. Harvest pumpkins and squash before frost and keep them dry and frost-free.

• Plant autumn garlic and onions. Choose varieties suitable for autumn planting and give them a sunny spot in well-drained soil. If your ground stays wet, try garlic in modules under cover instead.

• Refresh pots for autumn and winter. Replace tired summer bedding with violas, pansies, heathers and hardy foliage plants. Make sure containers have clear drainage holes and aren’t sitting in water.

• Make room for wildlife. Leave some seedheads standing for birds, provide fresh water and create a quiet log or leaf pile for shelter. Always check bonfire heaps carefully for hedgehogs before lighting.

A little work now will help your garden through winter and give it a strong start next spring.