October is a busy month in the UK garden as summer finally gives way to autumn. There are still plenty of jobs to tackle, from planting spring-flowering bulbs and bare-root roses to lifting tender plants, clearing fallen leaves and preparing the garden for winter.
The days are getting shorter and temperatures are falling, but the soil can still be warm enough for plants to establish roots. October is therefore an excellent time to plant, tidy and prepare the garden for the seasons ahead.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs
October is one of the best months to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Getting bulbs into the ground now gives them time to establish roots before winter and provides a welcome burst of colour next spring.
Good choices include:
Plant bulbs in borders, containers and lawns, or group them together for a more dramatic display. Daffodils and crocuses are particularly good choices for naturalising in grass, while tulips can make spectacular displays in containers and borders.
Gardening Express recommends planting spring-flowering bulbs during autumn and early winter.
Plant tulips
October is particularly suitable for planting tulip bulbs. Gardening Express recommends planting tulips from around mid-October through to Christmas.
For the greatest impact, plant several bulbs together rather than scattering individual bulbs throughout a border. Groups of complementary colours can create a much stronger display in spring.
Plant tulips in well-drained soil and avoid areas that remain waterlogged during winter.
Lift dahlias before hard frost
Dahlias can continue flowering well into October, particularly during a mild autumn. However, the first hard frost will blacken their foliage and can damage the tubers.
In colder parts of the UK, or where the soil is heavy and prone to winter wet, consider lifting dahlia tubers once the foliage has been blackened by frost.
Cut back the stems, carefully lift the tubers and remove excess soil. Allow them to dry before storing them somewhere cool, dry and frost-free.
In milder, well-drained gardens, dahlias can sometimes be left in the ground over winter with a thick protective mulch. However, lifting them provides greater protection against frost and prolonged wet conditions.
Lift tender plants
October is the time to protect plants that may not survive a British winter outdoors.
Tender plants growing in containers can be moved into a greenhouse, conservatory or other suitable frost-free location. Plants in the ground may need lifting and potting up if they are not hardy in your area.
Avoid bringing plants into a warm environment unnecessarily early. A cool, bright and sheltered position is generally preferable for plants that need to overwinter indoors.
Cut back perennials
Many herbaceous perennials will naturally die back as temperatures fall.
Once foliage has yellowed or died back, cut it down where appropriate and clear away dead material. However, don’t feel that everything needs to be cut back immediately.
Leaving some attractive seed heads standing through autumn and winter can provide useful structure in the border and food for birds.
Dahlias, salvias and other plants that remain attractive can be left for longer if conditions allow.
Plant bare-root roses
October marks the beginning of the bare-root planting season.
Bare-root roses are supplied dormant without soil around their roots and are generally available during the colder months. Gardening Express states that its bare-root rose season runs from October to April.
Plant bare-root roses when the ground is workable, avoiding periods when the soil is frozen, waterlogged or very dry.
Choose a sunny position with well-drained soil and prepare the ground thoroughly before planting. Water the rose well after planting and keep the area around it free from competing weeds.
Bare-root roses can be an economical way to establish a rose border, hedge or climbing rose.
Plant trees and hedging
Autumn is an excellent time to plant many trees and shrubs because the soil is still relatively warm while the cooler weather reduces stress on newly planted plants.
Bare-root trees and hedging become available as plants enter dormancy so bare-root hedging, roses, fruit trees and other trees are available now. Planting before winter gives roots an opportunity to establish before the burst of growth in spring.
Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
Divide overcrowded perennials
October can be a good time to divide established hardy perennials once they have finished flowering.
If a plant has become too large for its space or the centre of the clump has become weak and unproductive, lift it carefully and divide the healthy outer sections.
Replant the divisions promptly and water them thoroughly.
Don’t divide plants simply for the sake of it. If a perennial is healthy, flowering well and has plenty of space, there may be no need to disturb it.
Collect seeds
Many plants produce mature seed heads during October.
Collect seeds from healthy plants on a dry day and allow them to dry thoroughly before storing them. Keep them in labelled paper envelopes in a cool, dry place.
Collecting your own seed is an inexpensive way to produce plants for next year, although seedlings may not always be identical to the parent plant.
You can also leave some seed heads in the garden. They can provide food for birds and add winter interest to borders.
Clear fallen leaves
Fallen leaves are one of the most obvious signs that autumn has arrived.
Rake leaves from lawns regularly to prevent them forming a thick layer that blocks light and encourages moss.
Don’t feel that every leaf needs to be removed from the garden, though. A covering of leaves beneath trees and shrubs can provide shelter for wildlife.
Healthy fallen leaves can also be collected and turned into leaf mould, producing a useful soil conditioner over time.
Look after the lawn
October can be an excellent month for autumn lawn care.
Grass may continue growing while temperatures remain mild, so keep mowing when necessary, but gradually raise the cutting height as winter approaches.
If your lawn has accumulated a thick layer of thatch, autumn can be a suitable time to scarify. Aerating compacted areas can also improve drainage and allow air and water to reach the roots.
Repair bare patches with grass seed while conditions remain suitable, but avoid working the lawn when the soil is saturated.
Continue mowing
Don’t automatically put the lawnmower away at the beginning of October.
Grass growth can continue well into autumn during mild weather. Keep mowing as required, but avoid cutting the lawn too short.
As temperatures fall and growth slows, mowing will naturally become less frequent.
Prune climbing and rambling roses
October can be a useful time to tidy climbing and rambling roses.
Remove dead, damaged or diseased growth and secure loose stems to their supports before winter winds arrive.
Avoid unnecessary hard pruning unless the particular rose requires it. The main pruning of many roses is carried out later in winter or early spring.
Clear diseased rose foliage
Remove fallen rose leaves, particularly where black spot or other fungal diseases have been a problem.
Don’t put diseased rose foliage into your home compost heap, as this can help reduce the chance of carrying problems forward into the following season.
Good garden hygiene is particularly valuable as damp autumn weather increases the risk of fungal diseases.
Protect tender plants
Check the weather forecast regularly and be prepared for the first frosts.
Particularly vulnerable plants may need protection with horticultural fleece or another suitable covering. Containers can often be moved against a sheltered wall or into a greenhouse.
Plants such as bananas and other tender plants may require additional winter protection in colder areas.
It’s worth preparing protection before it is needed rather than waiting for the first severe frost.
Tidy containers and hanging baskets
Summer bedding will gradually fade as temperatures fall.
Remove plants that have finished and clean out containers ready for their next planting.
Alternatively, replace tired summer displays with autumn and winter bedding for continued colour.
Empty pots should be cleaned and stored somewhere protected where possible, particularly if they are vulnerable to frost damage.
Check supports and structures
Autumn winds can expose weaknesses in garden structures.
Check:
- Trellis
- Plant supports
- Climbing frames
- Greenhouse panes
- Fences
- Gates
Make repairs now rather than waiting for winter storms.
Tie in climbing plants securely but avoid tying them so tightly that stems cannot move or expand.
Keep an eye on slugs and snails
Cool, damp autumn weather can provide ideal conditions for slugs and snails.
Check beneath pots, around vulnerable plants and among fallen leaves. Remove hiding places where practical and protect young plants using suitable methods.
Pay particular attention to newly planted bulbs and young plants.
Keep planting
Don’t assume that October is simply a month for tidying up.
The combination of warm soil and cooler air makes autumn an excellent planting season for many hardy plants.
Newly planted trees, shrubs, roses and perennials can establish roots before winter, provided the soil is suitable and not waterlogged.
Water new plantings thoroughly after planting and keep an eye on them during unusually dry autumn weather.
Make a start on next year’s garden
October is a good time to think about what worked and what didn’t this year.
Look back at your borders and make notes about:
- Plants that performed particularly well
- Areas that need more colour
- Gaps that need filling
- Plants that became too large
- Combinations that worked particularly well
Planting bulbs and bare-root plants now gives you a head start on next year’s garden.
Plants to plant and enjoy in October
There are plenty of plants available from Gardening Express that are particularly useful at this time of year.
Spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, alliums, crocuses and hyacinths can be planted now for displays next year.
October is also the start of the season for bare-root roses, with bush, climbing and standard roses available.
For gardeners looking to add structure and long-term interest, autumn is also a good time to plant suitable trees, shrubs and hedging while the soil remains workable.
Enjoy the autumn garden
October may mark the end of summer, but it certainly isn’t the end of the gardening year.
Planting bulbs, roses, trees and shrubs now will reward you in future seasons, while lifting tender plants, clearing leaves and protecting vulnerable plants helps prepare the garden for winter.
Take time to enjoy the changing colours, autumn foliage and remaining flowers before winter arrives. A little preparation during October can make a big difference to how well your garden comes through the colder months—and how good it looks when spring returns.
What to do in the garden in October? Lift Dahlia tubers, Begonia tubers and Gladioli corms to store dry over the winter months. Remove the dead foliage before storing them. Plant daffodil bulbs, tulip bulbs and allium bulbs for a glorious spring display.
Dot them through borders or naturalise them in grass. Click here for more information on planting spring bulbs. Plant bare root ornamental trees and shrubs. Plant out any perennials or biennials you’ve grown from seed this year.