Wellies and WaxJackets · The October edit
Autumn starts here.
What to do in October: the planting, picking and preparation that will make a difference in your garden.
Your Garden.
Your October.
Choose the area you want to work on. Each section starts with the priority jobs, with more detail available when you need it. You do not have to do everything.
01 / FLOWERS
Prepare next year's colour
Flowers & borders
- Plant spring bulbs Check timing for each species. Plant suitable bulbs in freely draining ground; tulips are generally planted later in autumn.
- Protect tender plants Identify which plants need lifting, insulating or moving under cover before frost. Their winter requirements differ.
- Plant hardy shrubs and perennials Use workable soil and choose positions that suit each plant's light, drainage and mature size.
More October flower jobs
- Collect ripe seed from healthy plants, label it and check whether it needs immediate sowing or special treatment.
- Consider hardwood cuttings of suitable shrubs once dormant, following species-specific instructions.
- Check stakes and ties. Reduce long shrub-rose shoots only where appropriate to limit wind damage; leave main pruning to the correct season.
- Clear exhausted summer displays, retaining useful healthy seed heads and stems where possible.
- If moving deciduous shrubs, check dormancy and transplanting requirements before disturbing roots.
02 / GROW YOUR OWN
Harvest now. Plan ahead.
Vegetables & allotments
- Keep picking productive crops Harvest remaining beans and suitable autumn vegetables. Clear exhausted plants when they are no longer useful.
- Plant garlic and overwintering onions Choose varieties intended for autumn planting and follow their depth and spacing instructions.
- Protect salads and ripening squash Use suitable cover for salads. Keep squash off wet soil and harvest before damaging frost.
More October vegetable jobs
- Consider hardy broad beans and peas recommended for autumn sowing. Cold, exposed or wet plots may be better suited to spring sowing.
- Plant established spring-cabbage plants at the recommended spacing and protect against birds.
- Cover empty beds with suitable compost mulch or sow a green manure whose sowing window includes October.
- Allow asparagus foliage to yellow before removing it.
- Divide suitable herb clumps and check the correct method before taking herb cuttings.
- Save ripe seed from suitable bean plants if desired; label it and dry it properly before storage.
- Clean reusable supports and separate diseased material according to the problem involved.
03 / FRUIT
Make the harvest last
Fruit trees & bushes
- Harvest and sort fruit Handle gently. Use damaged fruit promptly and store only sound fruit from varieties suitable for keeping.
- Plan bare-root planting Choose rootstocks, varieties and pollination partners to suit your space. Plant during dormancy in suitable soil.
- Identify canes before pruning Raspberry and blackberry pruning depends on fruiting habit. Do not cut all canes down indiscriminately.
More October fruit jobs
- Remove spent blackberry canes following the correct training system, retaining replacement growth.
- Standard autumn-fruiting raspberry pruning is usually carried out in late winter; check your chosen system.
- For outdoor figs, distinguish small overwintering fruits from larger unripe fruits before removing anything.
- If winter-moth barriers are appropriate for your trees, follow instructions and inspect them regularly.
- Check tree ties, guards and supports without allowing them to rub or constrict the trunk.
04 / UNDER COVER
Light, shelter and airflow
Greenhouse care
- Clean glazing and clear debris Improve light levels and remove material that can harbour pests. Clean empty pots and staging.
- Inspect plants before moving them inside Check for pests and match winter shelter to each plant's minimum temperature needs.
- Adjust water and ventilation Check compost before watering. Ventilate appropriately to reduce condensation without chilling tender plants.
More October greenhouse jobs
- Sow suitable sweet peas in deep pots, following packet instructions.
- Try a small tray of microgreens in a bright suitable growing position.
- Check thermometers, frost protection and any heating equipment. Unheated glass does not guarantee frost protection.
- Consider insulation carefully: it affects light and ventilation as well as heat loss.
- Clear gutters safely, check water-butt connections and keep collection tanks covered.
- Dry harvested onions and garlic in suitable airy conditions before storage.
- Check species-specific care for citrus, fuchsias, tropical plants and other winter residents.
05 / SMALL SPACES
Give the patio a seasonal reset
Pots & containers
- Check drainage Clear blocked holes and remove outdoor saucers where they leave roots sitting in water.
- Refresh tired displays Choose autumn and winter plants suited to the position, such as appropriate hardy foliage and seasonal flowers.
- Protect vulnerable pots Check container frost resistance and shelter tender plants according to their needs.
More October container jobs
- Use suitable pot feet where they help drainage.
- Secure tall plants and exposed containers against wind.
- Check moisture regularly; autumn rain may not reach pots sheltered under roofs or balconies.
- Empty and store non-frost-resistant containers where necessary.
- Keep routes clear when rearranging pots for winter.
06 / INDOORS
Less daylight. Different care.
Houseplants
- Bring suitable plants back indoors Check for pests first and move them before temperatures fall below their tolerance.
- Reassess watering Growth often slows as light decreases. Check compost rather than keeping to a fixed weekly schedule.
- Improve light and clean leaves Choose suitable brighter positions, away from cold draughts and radiators.
More October houseplant jobs
- Adjust feeding to species requirements and active growth.
- Check for scale insects, mealybugs, aphids and other pests.
- Repot only when appropriate to the plant and problem, rather than automatically in autumn.
- Plan hippeastrum or prepared narcissus displays using supplier guidance on planting and flowering times.
- Try suitable leaf or stem propagation with clean equipment and species-specific instructions.
- Keep humidity and ventilation appropriate to the plant; do not leave sensitive foliage wet in cold conditions.
07 / THE PRACTICAL JOBS
Make winter easier
Garden maintenance
- Clear slippery leaves Keep paths safe and prevent heavy leaf cover from smothering lawns. Collect suitable leaves for leaf mould.
- Check structures Repair loose fences, leaking sheds and unstable supports before winter weather makes the problems worse.
- Clean and store equipment Dry tools, maintain moving parts and drain vulnerable hoses before freezing conditions.
More October maintenance jobs
- Assess lawn compaction and aerate where appropriate when ground conditions allow.
- If needed, use autumn lawn feed according to its label; avoid high-nitrogen summer formulations.
- Identify perennial weeds and remove roots carefully. Some regrow from fragments and need repeated attention.
- Store unused canes, netting and irrigation fittings securely.
- Check ponds for excessive fallen leaves and maintain equipment according to its instructions.
- Avoid walking or working on frozen and waterlogged soil.
08 / ROOM FOR WILDLIFE
Tidy selectively
Wildlife in autumn
- Leave useful stems and seed heads Retain healthy growth that provides food or shelter instead of cutting every border down.
- Create quiet shelter Suitable log piles and leaf litter can offer habitat where they will remain undisturbed.
- Check before clearing piles Animals may already be using accumulated garden material. Inspect carefully before disturbing it.
More October wildlife jobs
- Keep bird feeders and drinking containers clean.
- Clean nest boxes only when unoccupied, following appropriate nest-box guidance.
- Carry out pond work selectively and avoid unnecessary disturbance of wildlife.
- Manage pests around vulnerable plants without treating every insect or slug as a problem.
- Keep wildlife areas clear of loose netting and other materials that could trap animals.