October Gardening Jobs

Plant trees, shrubs and hedging 
October is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs, roses and hedging while the soil remains warm and moist. It is also a good time to prepare for bare root and rootball plants arriving later in autumn.  

Plant spring-flowering bulbs 
Get ahead for next spring by planting daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and other spring bulbs. Tulips can also be planted later in autumn. 

Give your lawn some autumn care 
Scarify and aerate lawns where conditions are suitable, remove fallen leaves and apply an appropriate autumn lawn feed if required. Continue mowing during mild weather, but raise the cutting height slightly. 

Clear and collect fallen leaves 
Don't let a thick layer of leaves smother your lawn. Collect leaves for composting or make your own leaf mould – a fantastic soil improver for future use. 

Plant new perennials 
Autumn is a great time to add herbaceous perennials to borders, giving them time to establish roots before the growing season begins again. 

Divide overcrowded plants 
Lift and divide established herbaceous perennials that have become congested or are flowering poorly. This is an easy way to create new plants for free. 

Prune roses and climbing plants 
Climbing and rambling roses can be pruned in October. In exposed areas, reducing the height of certain shrubs can also help minimise wind-rock during winter. 

Protect tender plants 
Move tender plants into a greenhouse, conservatory or other sheltered location before temperatures fall significantly. 

Prepare the garden for winter 
Check stakes and ties on newly planted trees and shrubs, make sure containers have adequate drainage and clear gutters, paths and other areas where autumn debris is accumulating. 

Plan ahead for winter planting 
October is the perfect time to plan new borders, hedges and screening projects. With bare root and rootball hedging becoming available towards the end of the month, preparing the ground now can make planting much easier.