Seasonal Guide October

Seasonal garden guide · UK gardens

October in the garden

October is a month for clearing, planting, protecting and preparing. There is still plenty to do, but the garden is beginning to slow down as the days become shorter and cooler.

You do not need to complete everything at once. Choose the jobs that suit your garden, allotment or containers and work through them at your own pace. October is about preparing well for winter and getting a head start on next year.

What matters most this month

Clear finished crops

Remove plants that have finished producing and clear away diseased foliage. Healthy material can go on the compost heap.

Plant for next year

Plant garlic, overwintering onion sets and suitable autumn broad bean varieties in well-drained soil.

Protect tender plants

Move tender pots into shelter and protect plants that may be damaged by early frost or cold winds.

Look after the soil

Add compost or well-rotted organic matter to empty beds. Avoid walking on soil when it is very wet.

Collect fallen leaves

Gather leaves from lawns and paths and store them separately to make leaf mould.

Prepare for colder weather

Check greenhouse panels, fences, plant supports, ties and containers before winter weather arrives.

Make space for wildlife

Leave some seed heads and plant stems standing where possible. They can provide food and shelter for insects and birds. Avoid clearing every corner of the garden immediately—some untidy spaces are valuable.

October planting and sowing

You can still sow

  • Broad beans
  • Hardy peas
  • Winter lettuce
  • Winter salad leaves
  • Spinach
  • Early-month radishes

You can still plant

  • Garlic cloves
  • Overwintering onion sets
  • Spring bulbs
  • Hardy perennial plants
  • Fruit bushes and bare-root plants later in the season

October garden checklist

  • Clear finished crops.
  • Plant garlic and overwintering onions.
  • Protect tender plants from frost.
  • Collect leaves for leaf mould.
  • Check the greenhouse and garden structures.
  • Add compost to empty beds.
  • Keep paths clear of slippery leaves.
  • Check young plants for slugs.
  • Make a note of what worked this year.

Do one useful job today

October gardening is not about getting everything finished. Clear one bed, plant one crop, collect a few leaves or prepare one container. Small jobs now make the rest of the season easier.