October brings cooler temperatures and shorter days, marking the true arrival of autumn. It’s a time for tidying, planting, and preparing the garden for winter, while enjoying the rich colors of the season.
General maintenance includes raking up fallen leaves from lawns and paths to prevent them from smothering grass or creating slippery surfaces. Add the leaves to a compost heap or use them to make leaf mold. Clean and store garden furniture, pots, and tools before frosts arrive. Check and insulate outdoor taps to prevent freezing during colder months.
In ornamental gardening, plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, alliums, and fritillaries. Lift and store tender plants such as cannas and begonias to protect them from frost. Cut back perennials that have finished flowering, leaving some seed heads for wildlife. Divide and replant overcrowded clumps of herbaceous perennials. Prune deciduous hedges and shrubs before they go dormant, and plant new shrubs and trees while the soil is still warm.
For fruit and vegetable gardening, harvest the last of late-season crops such as pumpkins, squash, and carrots. Clear out spent vegetable plants and dig over empty beds, adding compost or manure to improve the soil. Sow hardy vegetables like broad beans, spinach, and winter salads. Begin pruning fruit trees like apples and pears, and collect any fallen fruit to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering.
Lawn care in October focuses on aerating the lawn to improve drainage and reduce compaction. Scarify to remove moss and thatch, and reseed thin or bare patches. Apply an autumn lawn fertilizer high in potassium to strengthen grass for the winter months. Reduce mowing frequency as growth slows, and raise the mower blade to leave grass slightly longer.
Wildlife and sustainability tasks include providing shelter for garden creatures by creating log piles, leaving leaf litter in quiet corners, or adding bug hotels. Keep bird feeders stocked with high-energy foods and provide fresh water as natural sources begin to freeze. Leave late-flowering plants like sedum and asters to provide nectar for pollinators on warm autumn days.
October is a productive month for preparing the garden for the colder months, ensuring it remains healthy and ready to burst back to life in the spring.
