October garden advice

October garden advice and maintenance

General gardening

Clear up fallen Autumn leaves regularly
Cut back perennials that have died down
Divide herbaceous perennials and rhubarb crowns
Plant out Spring cabbages
Harvest apples, pears and grapes
Prune climbing roses
Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas
Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf. This month is an ideal time to make a new lawn from turf as it unlikely to dry out
Plant Winter and Spring flowering bulbs such as Daffodils, Narcissi and Crocuses should be planted in the garden or patio containers
Check the supports and ties on young trees and climbing plants
Re-position tender plants into a frost-free environment such as a greenhouse of conservatory
Help to drain your lawn by using a lawn aerator
Tidy up the garden shed and clean and sharpen secateurs in preparation for Winter pruning

Protect plants in your greenhouse from cold winter nights with a heater
Water plants in the morning so that the foliage is not wet during the night
Clean the greenhouse glass inside and out to maximise the Winter sun and remove any greenhouse shading
Ventilate the greenhouse to keep up air movement and alleviate dampness

Replenish birdfeeders. All feeds, including whole peanuts, are safe, as the breeding season is now over
Leave some seed heads standing, rather than cutting them back, to provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Leave mature ivy uncut if possible, as it is an excellent late source of nectar for insects.
Make a leaf pile for hibernating mammals and ground-feeding birds overwintering in the UK.
Buy a hedgehog hibernation box