October Gardening Jobs

Now that October is here, there will be slightly less in the amount of jobs that need to be completed around the garden. Despite this, there are still some maintenance tasks that need to be carried out to make sure that your garden stays in top condition even during the colder months.  Please remember that these are only suggestions of what should be done and certain tasks should be avoided in weather extremes.

Monthly Gardening Checklist

Struggling with where to begin? We would advise that sowing and growing should be the first thing to tick off your October gardening checklist.

So, what can you sow and grow?

Sowing and growing

As the warm summer months give way to the crisp, cool air of autumn, the changing of the seasons also brings with it a whole new world of vibrant plant life to grace our gardens. While the lush greenery of summer may begin to fade, autumn offers a bountiful array of flowers and foliage that can be cultivated to breathe new life into any outdoor space. 

• Trim back overgrown perennials: With just a bit of careful pruning, you can revive overgrown perennials, restoring their tidy, balanced appearance and promoting vibrant, rejuvenated growth for the next season.
• Remove pot saucers: Also, raise pots up to avoid any risk of waterlogging during winter.
• Take hardwood cuttings: Taking the time to carefully trim back ornamental greenery in October is a simple yet highly effective way to keep your trees, shrubs, and other decorative plants looking their best year-round. 
• Reduce the height of shrub roses: Shrub roses can be vulnerable to damage during the winter months, particularly from the effects of windrock. By carefully pruning the plants down to a more manageable size, you can significantly minimise the surface area exposed to high winds.

October marks the perfect time to explore the vibrant array of flowers and plants that can thrive in the changing seasons. There is a wide selection of flowers and plants to choose from to help cultivate a lush, colourful autumnal oasis.

• Spring Bulbs (such as daffodils and crocuses.) 
• Sweet Peas (ideally they should be kept in a cold frame over winter.) 
• Perennials and Biennials.
• Winter Pansies. Clematis (they provide a pleasant aroma during spring.)
• Evergreen shrubs (this is particularly effective in warm soil.)

General tasks

As the air grows crisp and the leaves begin to change, October ushers in a flurry of essential gardening tasks for the green-thumbed enthusiast. Here is an essential checklist for your autumn gardening maintenance.

• Clear away leaves: This spooky season is characterised by bare trees and fallen leaves. This is a good opportunity to clear any of the fallen foliage from the garden.
• Clean algae and moss: Maintaining the cleanliness and appearance of outdoor hard surfaces like patios, walkways, and driveways can be an ongoing battle against the persistent growth of unsightly algae and moss.
• Rake any thatches: Thatch is the layer of dead and decaying organic matter that can build up over time, preventing water, air, and nutrients from properly reaching the soil and roots below.
• Prune any tall hedging: Take advantage of the dormant season and get out there with your pruners to tame those towering hedges, setting them up for a beautiful, vibrant display in the year to come.

Maintaining the lawn in October

• Try to mow the lawn less frequently: Also ensure that the mowing height is raised, and you are not striping the grass to a very low level
• Use autumn fertiliser: This will help protect the lawn from winter diseases and frost.
• Sow the lawn early: If you are looking to renovate your lawn, we would recommend doing this earlier on in the month to avoid any adverse weather when the colder season nears. Always check the forecast to ensure you avoid heavy rain or sudden temperature drops. Browse through our quality grass seed today.
• Aerate your lawn: You can do this by using a garden fork, which is effective at preventing compaction in the winter period.
• Apply lawn feed: This is to revive the grass after the dryness of summer.

Looking after trees, shrubs and hedges

Tending to the trees, shrubs, and hedges around your property is a crucial task that should not be overlooked in October. As the seasons begin to shift and the weather starts to cool, this time of year presents a prime opportunity to provide some much-needed care and attention to these vital elements of your landscape.

• Check to see if your trees and shrubs have suffered from any wind damage.
• Trim conifer hedges when necessary.
• Plant evergreen hedges using a slow-release fertiliser when planting.
• Use our Arbor Gold for effective use!

Pumpkin season

With the arrival of autumn, the familiar orange hue of pumpkins and squash begins to appear across gardens and farms. One effective technique is to gently lift the pumpkins, squash up the soil and place them atop bricks or other sturdy platforms. This helps keep the delicate skins of the produce dry, protecting them from excess moisture that can lead to rot or discolouration.

With their vulnerable undersides shielded and their tops basking in the autumn sunshine, the gourds can focus their energy on ripening to perfection - ready to be selected, displayed, carved, and enjoyed as the leaves begin to turn.

Do you feel more prepared for next month? Feel free to read our November Gardening Jobs blog to get ahead of the gardening game!