Practical gardening advice for UK gardens
What to do this month

October gardening jobs

October is a valuable month for planting, soil improvement and preparing the garden for colder, wetter weather. The soil often remains warm enough for roots to establish even as top growth slows down.

Gather useful autumn material for compost and leaf mould, protect tender plants before the first frost, and leave healthy seedheads and stems where they can support wildlife through winter.

UK conditions vary. Adjust timings for your local weather, soil and exposure.

Key gardening jobs

  • Collect fallen leaves for leaf mould or use suitable leaves as a mulch
  • Plant or move hardy trees, shrubs, roses and climbers while the soil is workable
  • Bring tender plants into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory
  • Mulch beds, fruit trees and bushes with well-rotted compost or leaf mould
  • Check tree stakes, ties, fences and supports before autumn gales
  • Clean greenhouses, gutters and water butts
  • Drain and store hoses and vulnerable irrigation equipment before freezing weather
  • Turn the compost heap and check carefully for sheltering wildlife

What to sow and plant

  • Plant garlic cloves and finish planting overwintering onion sets
  • Sow hardy broad beans in mild areas, using protection in colder gardens
  • Sow suitable overwintering pea varieties in mild, sheltered locations
  • Plant out spring cabbages and protect them from pigeons
  • Sow winter green manures on empty vegetable beds
  • Plant wallflowers, violas, forget-me-nots and other spring bedding
  • Continue planting spring-flowering bulbs
  • Plant hardy perennials while the soil remains warm and moist
  • Plant pot-grown fruit and prepare ground for bare-root fruit arriving later

What to prune and harvest

  • Harvest apples, pears, pumpkins, squash, leeks, chard and remaining beans
  • Check stored apples regularly and remove any fruit showing rot
  • Prune climbing and rambling roses where appropriate
  • Give deciduous hedges their final trim of the year
  • Cut back wind-rock-prone roses, buddlejas and lavateras by around half where needed
  • Cut down asparagus foliage once it has turned yellow
  • Remove mushy or collapsed perennial growth but retain healthy stems and seedheads
  • Lift and divide congested or poorly flowering herbaceous perennials

Problems to watch

  • Protect tender plants and vulnerable containers when frost is forecast
  • Watch for grey mould during damp, poorly ventilated weather
  • Remove diseased leaves affected by black spot, scab or blight
  • Check stored fruit and vegetables regularly for rot
  • Protect winter brassicas from pigeons with secure, wildlife-safe netting
  • Store harvested crops where rodents cannot reach them
  • Check trees and tall plants for loose stakes or wind damage
  • Avoid late feeding that could encourage soft growth vulnerable to frost
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Guides for your garden

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