In our monthly round up of gardening tips we recommend the important jobs you should be doing to keep your outside space at its best.
If you followed our advice for September, you should be on track. And if you want to stay on top of your garden maintenance, October means more of much the same as September!
Tidy up borders and beds
Grab some secateurs and remove any remaining dead or dying plants. Trim any perennials that might be looking overgrown and pull out all those annuals that have finished flowering.
Plant your spring bulbs
If you didn’t get to grips with your bulb planting last month, it’s not too late! Now is a great time to plant bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and crocuses for a colourful spring display.
Protect any tender plants
Although we enjoyed a warmer spell towards the end of September, cold weather is a dead cert for the following weeks and months. It’s never a bad idea to move those vulnerable plants, like potted fuchsias or pelargoniums, into the greenhouse now. Alternatively get prepared with some frost fleece ready to cover them up.
Harvest and store any remaining vegetables
If you have any left, harvest them now! Collect remaining crops of squashes, and root vegetables and lift potatoes and onions to store in a cool, dry place.
Prune shrubs and trees
October is a big pruning month! Lightly prune your roses and cut back your herbaceous perennials after the first frost.
Get raking!
Keep raking those leaves to prevent them from smothering the grass. Give lawns a last feed if you haven’t already and a final cut if they’re still growing. Refer to our lawn tips blog for extra advice.
And don’t forget to compost…
Add any plant and pruning waste, leaves, and grass clippings to your compost bin if you have one. It’s going to break down over the winter and provide your plants with some rich nutrients in the spring.
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