Jobs in the Garden this October

Jobs in the Garden this October

Published: 1st September 2023

Autumn is well underway now. We’re seeing leaves are turning from greens to yellows through to oranges and reds before falling from the trees. The temperature has dropped and the rain is pouring down, but as sad as it is to see the end of summer, it’s great for us gardeners, as they say, autumn is nature’s time for planting. 

Maintenance

Lawns care is important during the autumn season.
Scarify by using a spring-tine rake to remove the thatch, then aerate the lawn with shoe spikes or a fork, this will improve the ability of air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. Finally top dress lawns with an autumn feed that is high in potash and phosphates. This will encourage tougher grass that is better suited to handling the winter frosts, a summer feed on the other hand will create weak growth and so is not ideal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October is your last chance to sow grass seeds or lay turf. If you do, protect the newly sown seeds from any fierce weather with a clear polythene sheet and leave feeding until the spring.

Keep watering early-flowering shrubs to ensure a good show of blooms in the following year. These would be plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, etc.

Shading paint can be removed now to allow as much light through before the winter months. Insulation can be added to retain as much heat as possible. Bubble wrap works well, just ensure that you are not compromising the light coming into the greenhouse when installing the insulation.

Consider purchasing a greenhouse heater or if you have one, it’s worth checking that it is working before the temperatures drop too low.

There is time this month for one last mow before the winter weather to ensure a tidy lawn through to the end of the year. It’s best not to cut any lower than 2.5cm and by adding a top dressing of loamy soil mixed with sand to minimise weeds coming through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any stakes that once supported herbaceous plants that have since died back can be removed. Store away until the spring to ensure that any heavy, blustery weather won’t cause any damage before they’re needed again.

Plants such as trees, climbers, hedging and shrubs can be moved this month as there is enough time for the roots to establish again before the growing period.

Hanging baskets can still hold their own right now. Just remove any tired plants and replant with this seasons bedding. Things like viola, pansies, winter heathers and cyclamen will look perfect for a colourful basket.

Deciduous hedges such as Beech can be trimmed this month to look smart over the winter period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dahlias and cannas can be left in the ground to overwinter in warmer areas once the frosts hit. Dress the ground with straw, making sure to avoid covering the crown of the plant. Alternatively lift the tubers and rhizomes to be stored until the next year.

Plants that are pruned hard in the spring can be given a prune by half. Examples of these plants would be Buddleja, lavatera and cornus.

Think about potting on softwood and semi-ripe cuttings that were taken earlier in the year.

Tender plants should be moved into a greenhouse or conservatory and cut back perennials that have died back.

Alpines may need a little picking over this month as foliage dies back. Troughs should be moved to a more sheltered spot such as a conservatory, lean-to or covered porch so that the plants don’t suffer from too much rain.

Collect any remaining seeds from plants in the garden. Store in an envelope with the varieties name on and store in a cool, dry place until the next year.

Prune climbing roses now to encourage vigour and more flowers.
   Start by removing dead, diseased, dying or weak branches.
   Some of the woody branches can be cut back to the ground. You should retain up to 6 young, vigorous stems that can be secured to supports.
   Dead stumps should be sawn away at the base of the plant to avoid water collecting and encouraging rot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thin herbaceous plants from over-crowded borders or those that are poor flowering by lifting and dividing.

Raise pots and containers onto bricks or feet to avoid them sitting in water over winter.

Leaves will fall and foliage will die back, so rake up what you can and remove dead material for composting as it can result in disease and potentially attract pests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue to clear out any debris, weeds and excess oxygenating plants in ponds. It’s best to leave any plants you intend on composting to the side for 38 hours to allow any wildlife to escape beforehand.

 

What to plant

Wildflower, primula, viola and forget-me-not seeds can be sown directly in the ground now. This will attract the beneficial insects next year.

Selected varieties of sweet peas, hollyhocks, aquilegia, poppies and hellebore’s can be be sown now and kept in a greenhouse. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the soil is still warm, continue to plant herbaceous perennials which will thrive on the perfect growing conditions.

Selected varieties of larkspur, cornflowers and poached egg plant can be sown directly outside this month.

Keep planting spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and alliums. They looks great in borders or why not try planting them in the grass to naturalise them.

Some hardy annuals can be sown outside now to overwinter for a floral display next year.

Clematis can be planted now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fruit and Vegetables

Plant out winter lettuce and spring cabbages now.

Apples, pears and grapes should be ready to harvest now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before the heavy weather arrives, stake Brussel sprouts, they will only become more vulnerable to breakage as they become weighed down by their yield.

Runner beans, courgettes, pumpkins, squash and main crop potatoes will be ready to harvest this month.

Garlic and onion sets are in season for planting out. These will ready to harvest around the summer time.

Sow a green manure across your vegetable plot to enrich the soil. Alternatively you can spread a layer about 5cm thick of well-rotted manure over the surface. This will be worked into the soil naturally but worm activity.

Rhubarb crowns can be divided now to create new plants.

 

Hardy broad beans and peas can be sown now.

Sow herbs on windowsills such as chives, parsley and basil. 

Asparagus and rhubarb crowns can he planted out in a rich, fertile soil. Established crowns can be divided to create new plants.

Blueberries can be planted out now. They require acid soil, if your soil is not acid you will need to plant them in ericaceous compost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn is the perfect time to plant many varieties of fruit trees. Soak the roots of the fruit tree before planting and choose a sunny location with free-draining soil.

Pests and diseases

General garden hygiene should be a top priority going forward to avoid pests and diseases from being carried over to the following year. All diseased material should be raked  and destroyed not composted.

Grey mould (Botrytis) is a common problem during the wet weather. Remove any part of the plant that is affected as soon as symptoms are seen.

Chrysanthemums can suffer from white rust so check the leaves regularly for symptoms and treat where necessary. Otherwise, if the leaves are discoloured it could be leaf and bud eelworm which affects herbaceous plants.  

“Indian Summers” or generally warmer areas can still suffer from powdery mildew. Spraying the plant that is suffering is less effective this time of year so tackle the problem by cutting the faded growth back.

Feeding plants now will encourage soft growth which will struggle to survive the cold and damp conditions as we head towards winter. This sappy growth is also more vulnerable to fungal disease, so wait until the next year before treating your garden to a feed, excluding lawns which as mentioned above will require an autumn feed.

Mice can be an issues in the greenhouse now, as they’re starting to look for food. This may result in digging up seeds planted for the following year.

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