Gardening Tips for October
There’s no need to let your garden become a nightmare this October! As the thick of autumn draws in, there are many simple steps you can take to nourish your garden and prepare it for the season ahead. Whether you’re an avid vegetable grower, flower fan or just want a tidy garden, these are our essential tips on what to do in your outdoors this October - from planting spring bulbs to taking care of the lawn
THIS MONTH IS ALL ABOUT: LAWN CARE AND TIDYING UP!
If there’s one thing you do in your garden this month, make sure it’s looking after your lawn! Tidying up leaves, cutting your grass and applying lawn dressing are just the basic things you can do to ensure a healthy lawn come spring
- Rake up leaves and add them to a compost heap or rot them down into leafmould. Make sure you’re also cleaning up leaves and other debris from hard surfaces such as pathways and patios, as these can become slippery and dangerous in wet and cold weather
Scarify your lawn remove dead grass or moss as this can suffocate your lawn over the winter months
Apply lawn dressing, such as Mircale-Gro Evergreen Autumn Lawn Care, to improve the soil. Autumn lawn food is just another way you can strengthen your grass in preparation for the coming winter
It’s also your last chance to give your lawns one final trim before the chilly weather really sets in. Your grass won’t grow over the winter, so you want to make sure it looks nice and tidy beforehand, as when it becomes too wet or cold you’ll be unable to cut it. When mowing, set the blades to the highest setting
Don’t forget to keep on top of weeds too, as these will grow strongly in mild autumn weather
GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE FOR OCTOBER
Cut back perennials and ornamental grasses that have finished flowering. This improves their appearance and encourages them to flower again next spring or summer. You can leave some stems over the colder months as this provides wildlife with food and shelter as well as giving your garden some winter interest. Use secateurs to cut stems close to the base of the plant, also known as the crown
Make sure to prune any climbing roses too, as their branches can become tangled in the wind, and so that they flower beautifully again next year. Fully remove any dead or dying branches, tie in any new shoots, and prune dead flowers back two thirds of their length
Keeping your soil healthy is vital to ensure better plant growth next year. Mulching borders with Bloomin Amazing Peat Free Soil Enricher will provide plenty of nourishment and protect plant roots from the worst of the winter weather
WHAT TO DO WITH PLANTS AND FLOWERS IN OCTOBER
Early spring flowering bulbs such as Daffodils can be planted now – mix and match with all the wonderful sunny colours and unique shapes of Daffodils with our bulb offers and online exclusive varieties. If planting bulbs in pots, make sure to add winter bedding plants such as violas and pansies to the top layer so you have some colour as you wait for the bulbs to grow
Fragrant indoor bulbs such as prepared Hyacinths and Paperwhites can also be planted now in time for Christmas and New Year. These look lovely as table centrepieces or gifts
Dahlias affected by the first frosts should be lifted. In milder areas, on well-drained soils, consider leaving them in the ground, dressing with a protective layer of mulch
Remember to bring any tender potted plants indoors such as Begonia, Fuscsias or Citrus Trees and keep them in a conservatory or any other frost-free room with good lighting
WHAT TO DO WITH FRUIT AND VEG PATCHES IN OCTOBER
Harvest apples and pears and store these in a cool, airy place. Autumn is the natural time to plant new fruit trees and bushes which will establish over the winter months. You can see our selection of fruit trees in-store now
If you’ve been growing spring cabbage or winter salads over the last month, now is the time to plant them out. Cover them with netting to protect from birds and wildlife
Also harvest any pumpkins, squashes or gourds growing in your garden. These seasonal staple vegetables make delicious healthy and hearty meals, from soups to curries
Garlic and onion bulbs are easy to grow. Plant these in the ground now. Your garlic cloves will be ready to harvest by the new year, and onions in the summer
Make sure to remove any crops that have finished fruiting and are beginning to die back from your greenhouse or beds
For more gardening advice this month, pop into store and speak to a member of our expert team, or browse our wide range of autumn gardening products, lawn care, and seeds and bulbs