Autumn has arrived, and with it comes a chill in the air, and lots of rain so far! But don’t be put off spending time in the garden, on a dry day October is the perfect time to prepare your garden for winter and you will then reap the benefits next year. It is a gorgeous time of the year so why not create a vibrant garden full of autumn colour?
- Cut back herbaceous perennials once they start to die back by using clean, sharp shears or secateurs. Common plants to cut include asters, peonies, and hostas. Cut down to ground level after flowering finishes, or just above any new growth. This will improve their future appearance and flowering. Leave a few stems for wildlife to use as a home over winter.
- Now is a fantastic time to plant shrubs before the frost arrives. The soil is still warm from summer, promoting root growth, while increased autumn rainfall ensures adequate moisture. You don’t just need flowers to create a garden full of colour!
- You can continue to plant spring flowering bulbs all throughout October. We still have a big selection in store from daffodils to tulips.
Cheer up the grey days with pots and containers filled with autumn colour. Try heathers, cyclamen, winter pansies and skimmia. We have premade potted arrangements or create your own by picking up a selection from our autumn/winter bedding range. Ask our team for recommendations!
Consider applying a thick layer of mulch to your garden. Mulching can help retain soil moisture, improve soil organic matter, provide nutrients and protect roots. Mulching materials include garden compost, wood chippings, processed conifer bark, leaf mould or well-rotted manure.
After all the wet weather, raise your pumpkins and squash onto bricks which will help keep them dry and expose them to more sunshine (fingers crossed) to ripen the skins.
- You can start planting garlic this month as it likes a period of cold for good bulb development. Plant the garlic cloves in well-drained soil, with the tip around 2.5 to 5cm below the surface. Watch out for the birds pulling up the cloves, we recommend covering with horticultural fleece until well rooted. You will be enjoying your own garlic from early summer!
- Plant out spring cabbages. Planting in October allows cabbages to establish a strong root system over the winter, resulting in a robust crop ready for harvest in early spring. Grow in a different spot each year to reduce any build-up of problems.
- As the leaves start to fall keep pathways clear, wet leaves can be very slippery! Try collecting leaves and storing in a leaf bin to rot down into leaf mould. If you don’t have a bin, collect in a black bag and pierce a few holes in it, leaving the leaves to rot down.
- Leafmould (over two years old) can be used as seed-sowing compost or mixed with sharp sand and garden compost for potting compost. Poor quality or less than two-year-old leafmould can be used as mulch, soil improver, autumn lawn top-dressing, or winter soil cover.
- Empty any glazed/ceramic pots that are not frost proof. Store in your shed until winter is over and the frost has passed.
- Drain your hose pipe and any drip-feed systems and store them indoors during winter, so they do not freeze and split as your warranty may not cover this type of damage.
- Gather up canes that are no longer in use, and store them indoors over winter.
- As the weather is getting colder, stock up on bird food and create a haven for wild birds. We have a huge section for wild birds in our pet shop, you will find feeders, seeds, fat balls and bird boxes.
- Build a log pile house at the back of your garden to support the wildlife. Get children or grandchildren involved and talk about what creatures they think will move in!
- Wash the greenhouse glazing to let in as much of the autumn sun as possible.