October
Fresh October brings the pheasant; Then to gather nuts is pleasant.
— Sara Coleridge, The Garden Year (1834)
Autumn takes hold
October brings cooler days, longer nights and the unmistakable colours of autumn. The garden is slowing down, but there is still plenty to plant, harvest and prepare.
It is also a month for putting garden waste to good use and getting plants, lawns and equipment ready for winter.
Plant bulbs for spring
October is a good time to plant tulips and other late spring-flowering bulbs while the soil remains workable.
Choose suitable, well-drained positions and think about where their colour will have the greatest impact when the garden comes back to life next spring.
Put fallen leaves to work
As leaves begin falling in earnest, rake them from lawns, paths and other areas where they may cause problems.
Healthy leaves can be added to the compost heap or collected separately to make leaf mould, providing a valuable soil improver for future years.
Tidy fading perennials
Cut back faded herbaceous perennials where appropriate and remove dead or diseased material from beds and borders.
There is no need to make everything completely tidy. Healthy seed heads and stems can provide winter food and shelter for wildlife, so consider leaving some standing until spring.
Plant trees, shrubs and hedging
While the soil retains some warmth, October can be an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and hedging plants.
Autumn planting gives roots an opportunity to begin establishing before winter and puts plants in a good position for renewed growth next spring.
Lift and store dahlias
After the first frost has blackened their foliage, lift dahlia tubers that require winter protection.
Prepare them for storage and keep them somewhere cool, dry and frost-free until they can be started into growth again next year.
Divide overcrowded rhubarb
Established rhubarb can become congested over time.
If necessary, lift and divide overcrowded crowns, replanting healthy sections with sufficient room to develop. This can help rejuvenate older plants and provide additional crowns.
Harvest pumpkins and squash
Bring pumpkins and winter squash into storage before heavy frosts arrive.
Handle them carefully to avoid damage and store suitable fruits somewhere dry, cool and well ventilated so they can be enjoyed during the months ahead.
Clean the greenhouse and equipment
As summer growing comes to an end, take the opportunity to clean greenhouses, pots and gardening tools.
Removing old plant material, debris and dirt can reduce opportunities for pests and diseases to remain unnoticed over winter.
Give the lawn its final cuts
Grass may continue growing during mild autumn weather, so continue mowing when necessary.
Gradually raise the cutting height as temperatures fall and avoid mowing when the ground is waterlogged, frozen or otherwise unsuitable.
Wildlife to look out for
October is a busy month for wildlife preparing for winter.
Hedgehogs may be feeding extensively as they build reserves for hibernation. Leaf piles, log piles and accessible gardens can provide valuable food and shelter.
Look for robins, blackbirds, tits, finches and wrens, while autumn can also bring migrating and winter-visiting birds. Clean feeders and bird baths and begin maintaining a dependable supply of food and fresh water.
On warmer days, late bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies such as red admirals may still visit autumn flowers in search of nectar.
Frogs, toads and newts will increasingly seek sheltered places as temperatures fall. Take care when disturbing log piles, compost heaps and dense vegetation.
One last tip
October tidying doesn't mean removing everything.
Clear diseased material and anything likely to cause problems, but allow healthy stems, seed heads and sheltered corners to remain where they can benefit wildlife through winter.
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