Your October Advice – Autumn Edition
Autumn is officially here! The leaves are turning along with the weather. Let’s tidy up the garden a little.
October Gardening Jobs
- Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory
- Cut back perennials that have died
- Divide herbaceous perennials
- Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants
- Plant out spring cabbages
- Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts
- Prune climbing roses
- Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year
- Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild weather
- Renovate old lawns or create new grass area by laying turf
Flowers & Plants
Raise patio containers on to bricks or purpose-made pot feet. This will prevent the pots sitting in water during winter.
Continue to plant spring-flowering bulbs.
As the soil is still warm, it’s a good time to plant new herbaceous perennials.
Lift and divide any poor flowering or overcrowded herbaceous plants.
Lawns
Apply an autumn feed if your grass needs a boost – do this after scarifying and aerating but before applying a top dressing.
Remove fallen leaves so they do not smother the grass.
Lay turf onto prepared soil. Avoid walking on newly laid turf – leave for several weeks to allow the roots to establish.
Mow recently sown areas of grass.
Ponds
Place nets over smaller ponds to keep fallen leaves out.
Clear any debris, weeds and excess oxygenating plants. Leave them to the side of the pond for 24hrs to allow any wildlife to go back in to the water.
Remove pumps or fountains and removable lighting systems, clean them and store over winter.
Tree & Shrubs
If the weather is dry, keep watering early-flowering shrubs such as camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, so that flower buds are initiated for spring blooms.
Check tree ties and stake before winter winds cause any damage.
Place healthy fallen leaves on the compost heap. If you shred the leaves first they will break down faster.