October
In The Flower Garden This October
Lift dahlia tubers, begonia tubers and gladioli corms to store over the winter months. Remove any dead foliage before storing them.
Prune rambling and climbing roses once they’ve finished flowering, and tie in the stems before autumn winds cause damage.
Clear up fallen rose leaves to prevent diseases such as black spot from overwintering. To avoid spread of damaging fungi, do not compost the leaves.
You can take hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs now.
This month is the ideal time to plant hedges and move trees and shrubs.
Cut back perennial plants that have died down.
Clear overhanging plants from pathways to maintain access around the garden.
After tidying borders, mulch with bar chips or well rotted manure to insulate plant roots for the winter and keep weed growth in check.
Top Tip:
Sweep up any fallen leaves that harbour fungal spores and provide ideal hiding places for slugs and snails. Use them to make leaf mould for the garden.
This Month's Key Tips
- Cut back perennials that have died down.
- Harvest fruit trees such as apples, pears and grapes.
- Move tender plants, including aquatics ones into the greenhouse.
- Clear up fallen leaves on a regular basis.
- Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf.
