Other Jobs Around The Garden and Patio Area This October

🪴 1. Clean and protect your patio and garden furniture

• 🧹 Sweep patios, decking and paths regularly to remove fallen leaves.

• 🪑 Clean garden tables, chairs and benches before covering or storing them.

• Cover furniture with breathable, waterproof covers or store it in a shed.

• Clean BBQs, empty ash once completely cold and cover them for winter.

• Move cushions, parasols and soft furnishings indoors.

Tip: Don’t leave wet leaves sitting on paving for too long, as they can become slippery and encourage algae.

🧽 2. Clean paths, paving and decking

• Remove moss, algae and weeds from paths and patio joints.

• Brush decking with a suitable outdoor cleaner.

• Check paving slabs for movement or uneven edges.

• Clear drains and channels around the patio so rainwater can escape.

Avoid using a pressure washer too aggressively on soft stone, decking or pointing, as it can cause damage.

🍁 3. Clear leaves and tidy garden borders

• Rake leaves from lawns, paths, patios and steps.

• Collect healthy leaves to make leaf mould for next year’s compost and borders.

• Remove diseased leaves and fallen fruit.

• Leave some leaves in quiet corners and under shrubs for wildlife.

• Cut back dead or damaged growth where needed, but leave attractive seedheads and ornamental grasses standing.

A leaf mould pile is particularly useful for improving soil and making a lovely mulch for flower beds.

🌧️ 4. Check gutters, drains and water butts

October rain can quickly expose drainage problems.

• Clear leaves from gutters and downpipes, using safe access or a professional where needed.

• Check patio drains and gullies are free from debris.

• Empty and clean unused watering cans and containers.

• Disconnect hoses and protect outdoor taps before freezing weather.

• Check water butts and make sure overflow pipes are clear.

If you have an outdoor tap, consider fitting an insulated cover before the first frost.

🪴 5. Protect pots, containers and garden ornaments

• Raise pots onto pot feet to improve drainage.

• Move frost-sensitive containers into a sheltered position.

• Wrap vulnerable terracotta pots to reduce the risk of cracking in frost.

• Empty pots that contain only finished summer bedding and clean them before storage.

• Bring delicate ornaments and solar lights indoors if they are not frost-resistant.

Keep drainage holes clear, especially in pots left outside all winter.

🐦 6. Give garden wildlife a helping hand

• Clean bird feeders and bird baths.

• Top up feeders regularly as natural food becomes scarcer.

• Leave a pile of leaves or logs in a quiet corner for insects and hedgehogs.

• Check compost heaps carefully before turning them, as wildlife may be sheltering inside.

• Leave some seedheads and berries for birds.

A small wildlife corner can be both useful and attractive through the colder months.

🔧 7. Check sheds, fences and garden structures

• Check fences, gates and trellis for loose fixings.

• Repair broken fence panels before winter winds arrive.

• Clear climbing plants away from gutters and windows where necessary.

• Check shed roofs for damage and secure anything that could blow away.

• Clean, sharpen and store garden tools somewhere dry.

It’s much easier to fix a loose fence panel on a mild October afternoon than during a winter storm!