Gardener's diary - October gardening
Our Guide to October Gardening.
A busy month for the gardener, extra attention needs to be paid to your plants and trees, especially if there are regular frosts.
The mower blade will need raising to its winter height and watering of the lawn can be lessened, providing there is sufficient rainfall.
The mower blade will need raising to its winter height and watering of the lawn can be lessened, providing there is sufficient rainfall.
Hardy Perennials
Make the final preparations to new borders. Break down any lumps and add a surface dressing of bone meal. If weather permits then plant the new border and divide any existing plants as needed. In colder areas leave this until March.
Clear established borders, cutting plants back to almost ground level. Woody stems can be burned and the rest can go on the compost heap.
If you are planning to increase your stock from cuttings, for example with delphiniums, then lift and store in compost and keep in a cold frame until January.
Clear established borders, cutting plants back to almost ground level. Woody stems can be burned and the rest can go on the compost heap.
If you are planning to increase your stock from cuttings, for example with delphiniums, then lift and store in compost and keep in a cold frame until January.
Hardy Annuals
In existing beds, remove dead growth after frost. Lightly thin out plants sown in September but not severely, in case of winter losses.
Biennials
Plant biennials in the beds prepared for them. This should be completed as early as possible in regions where the weather can be harsh, to allow plants time to establish themselves.
Half-Hardy Annuals
As for hardy annuals.
Shrubs
Evergreens can still be planted in warm soil. As flowers fade, reduce the stems of tall spikes to prevent damage. Leave the remainder until the spring. Leave late flowering shrubs un-pruned.
Start to prepare beds for planting next year. Double-dig in clay or heavy soils.
Start to prepare beds for planting next year. Double-dig in clay or heavy soils.
Climbers and Wall Plants
Finish planting before the weather turns cold and wet. Erect supports ready for planting next year.
Trees
Prepare soil for planting. Now and next month is the time for pruning the roots of trees to try to encourage flowering in trees which have produced a poor display. This treatment does not always work, although it can help.
This is also a time to move trees if needed, but proper planning at the beginning can prevent this.
This is also a time to move trees if needed, but proper planning at the beginning can prevent this.
Hedges
Make final preparations for planting new hedges. Remove weeds and add a dressing of fertilizer. Plant evergreens immediately. Deciduous plants can be heeled in temporarily if the weather is not suitable. Make sure that the plants are not allowed to dry out.
Any broken roots should be shortened using secateurs. These produce a clean cut so there is less chance of infection.
In exposed sites secure plants with canes to prevent the wind from rocking the plants and disturbing the root-ball. It is advisable at this stage to apply a mulch around the base of the plants to keep the soil frost free.
Any broken roots should be shortened using secateurs. These produce a clean cut so there is less chance of infection.
In exposed sites secure plants with canes to prevent the wind from rocking the plants and disturbing the root-ball. It is advisable at this stage to apply a mulch around the base of the plants to keep the soil frost free.
Heathers
The "average" ideal time for planting is mid-October to mid-November. Conditions shouldn't be frosty, too wet or too dry. If weather conditions are too harsh, wait until March/April for planting. Tease out root-balls of pot bound plants and set the soil ball slightly below the surface. Never allow the roots to dry out.
For plants that were layered last autumn, separate the young plants from its parent and plant in a nursery bed for continued growth.
For plants that were layered last autumn, separate the young plants from its parent and plant in a nursery bed for continued growth.
Bulbs and Corms
Finish planting bulbs for flowering in the spring. This includes dwarf bulbs for planting in rockeries and raised beds.
Bulbs can still be planted for forcing indoors (see September). Hyacinths and large flowered bulb irises can now be planted, and tulips towards the end of the month.
Lift, dry and store gladiolus in a cool dry place.
This is a good time for planting small bulbs to create an alpine meadow. Lift turf (making sure the roots are not disturbed too badly), prepare the soil and plant bulbs randomly to a depth of 5-8cm (2-3 inches).
Bulbs can still be planted for forcing indoors (see September). Hyacinths and large flowered bulb irises can now be planted, and tulips towards the end of the month.
Lift, dry and store gladiolus in a cool dry place.
This is a good time for planting small bulbs to create an alpine meadow. Lift turf (making sure the roots are not disturbed too badly), prepare the soil and plant bulbs randomly to a depth of 5-8cm (2-3 inches).
Alpines
Continue routine tasks on heated and unheated houses and frames, reducing watering to a light watering once a week. Place slug pellets in or near pots for protection in the winter.
Outside, keep beds clear from weeds and debris to prevent rotting. Regularly replace slug pellets as they can deteriorate with the weather.
Complete any construction work and cover any susceptible plants with glass to protect them from harsher weather.
Outside, keep beds clear from weeds and debris to prevent rotting. Regularly replace slug pellets as they can deteriorate with the weather.
Complete any construction work and cover any susceptible plants with glass to protect them from harsher weather.
Lawns
Set the lawn mower to its winter height and continue mowing as required. Continue routine tasks as for September.
The sowing of new lawns should have been completed by now, but you can start to lay turf from now until mid-February if conditions allow. Prepare the ground thoroughly before laying and make sure you do not tread on the prepared site whilst laying the turves. Use planks of wood to spread your weight and avoid damage to new turf and prepared ground. Apply a light dressing of sandy loam and water thoroughly.
The sowing of new lawns should have been completed by now, but you can start to lay turf from now until mid-February if conditions allow. Prepare the ground thoroughly before laying and make sure you do not tread on the prepared site whilst laying the turves. Use planks of wood to spread your weight and avoid damage to new turf and prepared ground. Apply a light dressing of sandy loam and water thoroughly.
Plants that are in flower in October
Annuals and Biennials:
- Ageratum
- Amaranthus
- Antirrhinum
- Calceolaria
- Calendula
- Callistephus
- Clarkia
- Cobaea
- Cosmos
- Dahlia
- Dianthus
- Gazania
- Impatiens
- Lathyrus
- Nicotiana
- Petunia
- Rudbeckia
- Salvia
- Scabiosa
- Tagetes
- Thunbergia
- Tropaeolum
- Viola
- Zinnia
Border Perennials:
- Anemone japonica
- Aster novi-belgii
- Centranthus ruber
- Chrysanthemum rubellum
- Cimicifuga foetida
- Cortaderia selloana
- Echinacea purpurea
- Liriope muscari
- Phlox paniculata
- Physalis franchetii
- Polygonum affine
- Saxifraga fortunei
- Scabiosa caucasica
- Schizostylis coccinea
- Sedum spectabile
- Viola odorata
Rockery Perennials:
- Androsace lanuginosa
- Astilbe chinensis pumila
- Gentiana sino-ornata
- Polygonum vaccinifolium
- Silene maritima
- Sisyrinchium spp.
Bulbs:
- Amaryllis
- Anemone (Poppy-flowered)
- Colchicum
- Crocus (Autumn-flowering)
- Cyclamen neapolitanum
- Freesia
- Nerine
- Sternbergia
Shrubs:
- Abelia species
- Calluna species
- Erica species
- Fatsia japonica
- Fuchsia species
- Hebe 'Midsummer Beauty'
- Hibiscus species
- Hydrangea species
- Hypericum 'Hidcote'
- Potentilla species
Trees:
- Magnolia grandiflora
- Eucryphia
