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October Jobs

15 Minute Read
With the nights getting longer and temperatures taking a turn, our October gardening guide ensures you are prepared for autumn.
What to do in the garden in October
With the nights getting longer and temperatures taking a turn, this is the month you'll notice the leaves turning from green to orange in preparation for autumn; this is a great time to add your garden waste to the compost heap or to start making leafmould. 

There is a potential for frosts in October; on these days, bring tender perennials indoors to shelter them from potential damage. There is also a chance of strong winds and increased rainfall in October, so it's worth keeping an eye on the forecast daily.

October is the time to plant trees and shrubs. Start by removing all traces of weeds, then prepare the soil with organic matter and a tree and shrub planting compost.

Take a look at the complete list of gardening jobs for October below. 

Ornamental Garden:

  • Mulch borders to lock in soil moisture.
  • Continue deadheading as required.
  • Remove fallen leaves from roses to prevent blackspot.
  • Continue to tidy borders of weeds and leaves.
  • Transplant any plants that need to be moved.
  • Plant spring bulbs such as daffodils etc. Except for tulips – wait until November to avoid tulip blight.
  • Lift and divide perennials.  
  • Plant up containers etc. for winter bedding displays.
  • Now is a good time to plant trees and shrubs while the soil is moist and warm.
  • Sow sweet peas under glass.
  • Lift summer flowering bulbs/tubers and overwinter in the greenhouse or heavily mulch and leave in the ground. E.g. gladioli, dahlia, canna.
  • Cut back herbaceous perennials as they die back.
  • Prune climbing roses to avoid wind rock.

Vegetable Garden:
  • Begin planting garlic.
  • Apply fleece to late season crops when frost is forecast.
  • Lift and divide rhubarb.
  • Clear away old foliage of strawberries to prevent pest and diseases.
  • Pot up herbs and place in a frost-free greenhouse to continue cropping through the winter.  
  • Complete planting onion sets and plant out spring cabbage.
  • Harvest squash and pumpkin if not already done so.

Other Garden Jobs:
  • Refill bird feeders regularly.
  • Install insect hotels/log piles.
  • Apply autumn lawn feed.
  • Add garden waste to your compost heap.

Seeds to sow in October

Not sure what to grow in October? Here are our top seeds to sow this month.

GET GROWING

Top Products for October gardening


Strulch Straw Mulch

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Sylvagrow Farmyard

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Lawn Fertiliser

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Plant pots

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Fertilisers

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Tree Care

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Garden gold: how to start your own compost heap at home

Compost is such a valuable addition to your garden, not only is it bursting with nutrients to help with lawn & plant growth but it also aids depleted soil, giving it a brand new lease of life. Managing a compost heap or bin is easy, excellent for the environment and also helps to reduce unnecessary landfill waste.

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Planting spring bulbs

Fill your garden with a crescendo of colour in time for spring with this handy spring bulb planting guide.

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