October Garden Jobs: What to do in the Garden this Month
Key October Garden Tasks – Quick Reference
- 🌷 Plant spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils before month end.
- 🍂 Clear fallen leaves to prevent disease and lawn damage.
- 🏡 Move tender plants to frost‑free locations or small greenhouses.
- 🍎 Harvest and store late‑season crops including apples and pears.
- 🧄 Plant garlic cloves for next year’s harvest.
- ✂️ Divide overgrown perennials for better flowering.
- 🪵 Apply mulch to borders for winter protection.
- 🧼 Clean greenhouse ready for winter growing.
Introduction
October is a beautiful month of autumnal colours and first frosts. Crisp, blue‑sky days are perfect for tidying up and cutting back in the garden. With 87% of UK households having a garden and 28% growing vegetables, October jobs are crucial for garden success.
✅ After thirty years of UK gardening, I’ve learned that October preparation makes the difference between gardens that thrive and those that merely survive winter. Here’s your complete monthly checklist.
Timely Tips for October
Important October Reminders
- 🧣 Invest in garden fleece – temperatures can drop suddenly in October.
- 🌷 Last chance for bulbs – plant tulips and daffodils before month end.
- 🧼 Clean your greenhouse if fairly empty to maximise winter light.
- 🏡 Move tender plants to frost‑free locations before first hard frost.
- 📦 Order bare‑root plants for best‑value winter planting.
October Tasks Priority Table
| Priority Level | Task | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent | Plant spring bulbs, harvest tender crops | Before first frost |
| High | Clear leaves, protect plants, plant garlic | Early October |
| Medium | Final lawn mow, greenhouse cleaning | Mid‑October |
| Standard | Divide perennials, general tidying | Throughout October |
🌡️ UK weather in October ranges from warm Indian summer days to sudden frosts. I always complete frost‑sensitive tasks first, regardless of current conditions.
Flowers and Borders
October is your final opportunity for spring bulb planting and essential border preparation. These tasks set up next year’s spectacular displays.
Essential Tasks This Month
- Plant spring bulbs – tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and fritillaries in well‑draining soil.
- Plant winter bedding – wallflowers, pansies, and winter‑flowering heathers.
- Lift tender bulbs – dahlia tubers, begonia tubers, and gladioli corms for winter storage.
- Divide perennials – astilbe, day lilies, hardy geraniums whilst soil is warm.
- Take hardwood cuttings – roses, forsythia, weigela from deciduous shrubs.
- Mulch borders – 5–7 cm layer of compost around plants for winter protection.
- Protect tender plants – wrap tree ferns and cordylines with fleece.
💡 Bulb planting tip: Plant bulbs three times their own depth and add grit to heavy soils for drainage.
✅ Expert advice: I divide perennials every 3–4 years using two forks back‑to‑back. Each division needs strong roots and growing shoots for best results.
In the Vegetable Garden
With 36% of UK adults growing vegetables, October harvesting and winter preparation become crucial tasks. Here’s what needs doing now:
Harvesting and Storage
- Harvest main crops – potatoes, carrots, beetroot before soil waterlogging.
- Lift and store – onions, garlic, pumpkins before first frost.
- Finish picking beans – save some pods for next year’s seed.
- Clear finished crops – remove old plant debris to prevent disease.
Planting and Sowing
- Plant garlic cloves – 15 cm apart, tips 5 cm below surface in sunny spot.
- Sow broad beans – hardy varieties for early crop next year.
- Plant spring cabbages – in prepared bed with firm soil.
- Sow green manure – winter rye on empty beds prevents nutrient loss.
📦 Storage tip: Only store perfect vegetables. Use damaged ones immediately or preserve them.
🌿 Green manure benefits: Fixes nitrogen, prevents erosion, and improves soil structure when dug in spring.
In the Fruit Garden
October is peak harvest time for tree fruits and essential maintenance period for soft fruits.
Tree Fruits
- Harvest apples and pears – test ripeness by gentle lifting.
- Wrap grease bands – around trunks to trap winter moth females.
- Remove diseased fruit – from trees and ground to prevent reinfection.
- Apply winter wash – to kill overwintering pests on bark.
🍏 Apple storage: Only store unblemished fruit in cool, dark conditions. Check regularly and use damaged ones first.
💡 Expert tip: I test apple ripeness by cupping fruit in my palm – ripe apples lift away easily without tugging.
Soft Fruits
- Prune summer raspberries – cut old canes to ground, tie in new ones.
- Cut autumn raspberry canes – to ground level after final harvest.
- Clean strawberry beds – remove old straw and dead foliage.
- Divide rhubarb – lift and split congested crowns.
House Plants
As daylight reduces and temperatures drop, house plants need adjusted care and some outdoor plants need moving indoors.
Moving Plants Indoors
- Bring tender plants inside – before temperatures consistently drop below 10 °C.
- Check for pests – inspect thoroughly before bringing indoors.
- Quarantine new arrivals – keep separate for two weeks.
- Clean large leaves – wipe dust from plants that were outside.
Indoor Care Adjustments
- Reduce watering frequency – plants need less as growth slows.
- Move to brighter spots – maximise available light.
- Stop feeding – most plants enter dormant period.
- Take cuttings – propagate from healthy growth before dormancy.
💡 Light maximisation: Clean windows and rotate plants weekly for even light exposure.
💧 Watering tip: Check soil moisture with the finger test – water only when the top inch feels dry.
In the Greenhouse
October greenhouse preparation maximises winter growing potential and ensures proper plant protection. Winter greenhouse growing extends your season significantly.
Cleaning and Maintenance
- Wash glass thoroughly – inside and out to maximise light transmission.
- Disinfect surfaces – benches, pots, and tools to kill disease spores.
- Check glazing – replace broken panes and seal gaps.
- Service heating – test systems before cold weather arrives.
Winter Preparation
- Install insulation – bubble wrap on north walls reduces heat loss by 40%.
- Set up heating – greenhouse heaters sized for your space.
- Sow winter crops – lettuce, spinach, rocket for fresh winter salads.
- Plant amaryllis bulbs – for Christmas flowers.
💡 Insulation tip: Leave ventilation gaps – completely sealing creates condensation problems.
🔥 Heating efficiency: Wooden greenhouses provide better insulation than aluminium structures.
Looking After Your Lawn
October lawn care focuses on winter preparation and taking advantage of mild conditions for final maintenance tasks.
Essential Lawn Tasks
- Final mowing – when growth stops, usually mid‑October.
- Raise cutting height – to 2.5–3 cm to avoid scalping.
- Clear fallen leaves – weekly raking prevents fungal diseases.
- Aerate compacted areas – use a garden fork to improve drainage.
- Overseed thin patches – grass seed establishes well in October.
- Apply autumn feed – low‑nitrogen fertiliser for winter strength.
New Lawn Projects
- Lay turf – autumn conditions ideal for establishment.
- Plant bulbs in grass – crocuses and daffodils for spring display.
- Install lawn edging – makes future maintenance easier.
- Repair damaged edges – cut out and re‑turf worn areas.
🍁 Leaf management: Compost leaves separately or use as mulch – don’t mix with grass clippings.
✂️ Mowing tip: Continue weekly cuts until growth stops completely after several days below 5 °C.
Other Garden Jobs
October’s general maintenance tasks prepare your garden infrastructure for winter weather and create safe, tidy outdoor spaces.
Infrastructure and Safety
- Clean paths and patios – remove slippery algae and leaves.
- Drain water systems – hoses, pipes, and irrigation to prevent freezing.
- Check garden structures – fences, trellises, and supports before storms.
- Test garden lighting – ensure safe access during dark months.
Tool and Equipment Care
- Clean and oil tools – prevent rust during winter storage.
- Service mowers – clean, sharpen, and store properly.
- Organise sheds – protect valuable equipment from damp.
- Check shed security – repair locks and weatherproof roofing.
Wildlife and Environment
- Set up bird feeding stations – winter food sources become scarce.
- Create wildlife habitats – leave some leaf piles for beneficial insects.
- Install bird baths – provide unfrozen water sources.
- Build compost systems – process autumn debris into soil improver.
🪱 Pest management: October slug and snail hunts reduce next year’s population significantly.
Winter Preparation
- Well‑maintained equipment lasts decades longer than neglected tools.
- Schedule storm checks after high winds to catch damage early.
- Top up grit supplies for icy paths and drives.
From Your Armchair
October evenings are perfect for planning next year’s garden success. With summer’s experience fresh in memory, now’s the time to evaluate and order for next year.
Planning and Ordering
- Order seed catalogues – plan next year’s vegetable and flower varieties.
- Purchase bare‑root plants – trees, roses, and shrubs for winter planting.
- Book garden design consultations – winter planning for spring implementation.
- Research new varieties – disease‑resistant and climate‑adapted options.
Record Keeping and Analysis
- Photograph garden areas – document successes and problem spots.
- Update garden diary – record flowering times and weather patterns.
- Test soil pH – plan winter soil improvements.
- Calculate space requirements – optimise next year’s growing areas.
Winter Projects
- Plan infrastructure improvements – paths, raised beds, water systems.
- Design new planting schemes – colour themes and seasonal interest.
- Budget for next year – spread costs across winter months.
- Book courses and workshops – improve skills during quiet months.
🛒 Early ordering benefits: Better variety selection and often significant discounts on bare‑root plants.
📷 Documentation tip: Photos taken now show garden structure clearly before winter – invaluable for spring planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What garden jobs should I prioritise in October?
Prioritise planting spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils), clearing fallen leaves from lawns, harvesting and storing tender crops, and protecting plants from frost. These tasks have strict deadlines before winter weather arrives.
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What allotment jobs are essential in October?
Focus on harvesting remaining crops (potatoes, carrots, apples), clearing finished plants, planting garlic and broad beans, covering empty beds with green manure, and winterising water systems. Clean and organise tool storage areas.
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What vegetables can I sow in October in the UK?
Sow broad beans, overwintering peas, winter lettuce, lamb’s lettuce (corn salad), rocket, and winter purslane. Plant garlic cloves, onion sets, and spring cabbage plants. Green manure crops like winter rye work well on empty beds.
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What needs pruning in October UK?
Prune summer‑fruiting raspberry canes after harvest, reduce height of shrub roses to prevent wind damage, and cut back finished herbaceous perennials. Avoid pruning spring‑flowering shrubs as you’ll remove next year’s buds.
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When should I start protecting plants from frost?
Begin frost protection in early October before first frost arrives. Move tender plants to sheltered spots, have fleece ready, and complete tender plant care tasks. UK October frosts can arrive unexpectedly – preparation beats reaction.
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Should I continue mowing my lawn in October?
Yes, continue mowing while grass grows, typically until mid‑October. Raise cutting height to 2.5–3 cm and reduce frequency as growth slows. Stop completely when grass stops growing after several consecutive days below 5 °C.
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What’s the latest I can plant spring bulbs?
Plant spring bulbs by end of October for best results. Tulips can go in until early November, but earlier planting gives better root establishment. Daffodils and crocuses should ideally be planted by mid‑October.
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How do I prepare my greenhouse for winter?
Clean thoroughly inside and out, check glazing for damage, install insulation, test heating systems, and move tender plants inside gradually. Ensure good ventilation whilst maintaining warmth. Visit our winter greenhouse growing guide for detailed advice.
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Can I still harvest vegetables in October?
Absolutely! October is peak harvest time for apples, pears, late potatoes, carrots, beetroot, pumpkins, and winter squashes. Many root vegetables can stay in ground until needed, but harvest before soil becomes waterlogged.
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What pest control should I do in October?
Focus on slug and snail control – regular evening hunts reduce next year’s population. Clear plant debris that harbours pests, apply grease bands to fruit trees, and check plants for overwintering pest eggs. Visit our pest control guide for comprehensive advice.
October Garden Success
October’s beautiful autumn conditions make it perfect for essential garden tasks. From planting spring bulbs to preparing greenhouses, each job contributes to next year’s success. With over £6.5 billion being spent on UK gardening, October preparation ensures maximum return on your investment.
⚠️ Remember that UK weather can change suddenly in October – complete frost‑sensitive tasks early in the month. Your garden will reward autumn preparation with stronger spring growth, better flowering, and increased harvest yields.
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