FLOWERS
Raise any containers not already on feet or bricks to protect them from the cold and lag them with bubble wrap or straw and hessian; even hardy plants need protection in really cold weather.
CARING FOR GARDEN STRUCTURES
Clean water butts by emptying them and spraying out with a jet nozzle on the hose or scrubbing them with a brush. They will then be ready to catch the extra water expected at this time of the year.
GREENHOUSE AND PLANT CARE IN OCTOBER
Stand tropical houseplants on trays of wet gravel to counteract the drop in humidity when the central-heating comes on. Grouping them together can also help to create a more humid microclimate.
Lawns
Reduce the frequency of mowing now and towards the end of the month. Scarify (rake out the old dead grass and moss) by hand (hard work!) or with a machine, spike to improve drainage
Add instant colour to your garden
Trailing petunias, fuchsias and ivies can get too big for their space in containers so trim them back to avoid your container displays looking ‘lop-sided’. Also trim back any plants that have...
Bulbs, flowers and containers
Finish planting spring bulbs such as narcissi and crocuses - tulips can wait until November. Choose plump firm bulbs and plant within a week of buying in a location with good drainage...
What to do with fallen leaves in October
If you're faced with huge piles of fallen leaves every autumn, you can make the sweeping and collection process a lot easier by using a combination of different tools. Learn different methods...
Fruit & Vegetables Advice in October
Once your veggie patch is clear, dig it over and incorporate compost. Dig over your kitchen garden as soon as possible so the soil can be broken down by the winter elements.
LAWN CARE IN OCTOBER
In many colder areas, this month is the last opportunity to scarify, aerate and top dress lawns. Scarification removes layers of thatch and can be done with either a spring-tine rake or a powered scarifier.
CLIMBERS/TREES/SHRUBS
Remove dead, diseased or damaged wood in deciduous trees and shrubs. Avoid pruning birches, acers and vines, which are liable to bleed profusely if pruned after midwinter. Prune Wisteria this or next month
How to grow Fennel
Fennel soon reaches 1.5m high, so you’ll only want one or two plants. The best bet is to buy them or get young plants from a friend or neighbour who already has fennel
How to grow blackberries
Easy to grow and always productive, blackberries seldom have problems with pests and diseases. Several varieties are thornless, although many of the best-tasting blackberries grow on canes...
How to grow Basil
You can start sowing basil towards the end of March in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. It’s very sensitive to cold and will blacken at the slightest...
How to grow Mangoes
How to grow mangoes? Although mango trees grow very large outside in the tropics, they can be grown as smaller plants in pots, or even as houseplants when they are young...
How to grow blueberries
Blueberries, Vaccinium corybosum, taste delicious whether eaten fresh or cooked. The bushes can be evergreen or deciduous and usually grow to about 1.5m high.
How to grow Chives
Chives are simple to grow and perfect for pots. Sow seed in March to April direct into the ground or in containers, or buy plants from the garden centre.
RHUBARB
Rhubarb is a rhizomatous perennial whose leafstalks (technically leaf petioles but often referred to as ‘sticks’ or 'stems') are grown as a vegetable but used mainly as a dessert. It crops over a long period...
How to grow Strawberries
Strawberries can be grown in a wide range of soils, from light sand to heavy clay. However, waterlogging will cause the fruits to become diseased and the plant to rot. The ideal soil is well-drained.
How to grow Coriander
Coriander doesn't like being moved, so it’s best sown where you want it to grow, either in the ground or in large pots. Sow in late spring or early summer.
How to grow Raspberries
Raspberries are best grown from bare-root plants in the autumn. There are lots of different varieties available, which bear fruit at different times. The majority are harvested between early...
How to grow Olive Trees
The olive tree, Olea europaea is instantly recognisable as the quintessential Mediterranean tree and stands as the archetypal sentinel of warm, sunny climes. It is then perhaps surprising...
How to grow Dill
Aniseed-flavoured dill dislikes having its roots disturbed – sow it where it is to grow, either in the ground or in large containers in a warm sunny site...
How to grow peach trees
Once peaches and nectarines could only be cultivated in greenhouses but new dwarf trees have been bred which are ideal for growing on a warm, sunny patio. We show you how to grow your...
How to grow Thyme
Whether you’re growing the twiggy bush types or the carpeting mat forms, all like a warm sunny site in well-drained soil that's low in nutrients. Add grit to the planting
How to grow plums
Among stone fruits, plums are the easiest to grow in Britain. Picking your own tasty plums is a real garden luxury – they’re perfect for training to grow against a wall or fence.
How to grow Lemon verbena
Lemon verbena is a small, attractive shrub but it loses its leaves in winter. Because it can’t withstand frost and therefore needs protection
How to grow Lemongrass
Lemongrass can be grown from seed sown from late January to March. As it’s a tropical plant, the seed needs heat to germinate so sow in a heated propagator.
How to grow espalier trees
The term espalier refers to the way fruit trees are trained to grow against a wall. It makes the tree easier to prune and the fruit easier to pick. This decorative method was often used traditional...
How to grow Sweetcorn
Plant sweetcorn in the spring and by late summer you’ll be picking lots of fresh cobs, which are far tastier and more succulent than any you can buy
How to grow Szechuan Pepper
Szechuan Pepper will flower in December. the seeds ripen from April The flowers from this plant are dioecious (each plant is either male or female
How to grow Cherries
Cherries are spectacular in flower and are delicious to eat. You can grow entirely ornamental trees, or fruiting trees to give you the freshest, most flawless cherries possible...
How to grow Grapevines
Raspberries are best grown from bare-root plants in the autumn. There are lots of different varieties available, which bear fruit at different times. The majority are harvested between early...
How to grow Leaks
With their compact, bolt upright growth, leeks are the ideal crop to squeeze into bare patches on an allotment or in a border. Here's how to grow
How to grow Mint
Mint grown from seed will rarely be the same as the parent plant, so the only way to get your favourite mint is to buy established plants
How to grow Lemon
Lemons can make excellent houseplants and will be comfortable in a container as long it provides adequate drainage and room for growth. Heights of around 3-5 feet tall can be expected...
CARING FOR PERENNIALS
Perennials are not demanding plants, but trimming them after flowering finishes in autumn helps improve their appearance and flowering. However, you can leave some stems over winter...
How to grow Chicory
This bitter leaved salad plant is really easy to grow in the soil, raised beds or pots. Sow seed in early summer and you’ll have lots of tasty pickings
HOW TO GROW GARLIC
Garlic is a really healthy vegetable, and is popular in Mediterranean and Asian cooking, so it’s hardly surprising it has become popular to grow at home. Garlic is simple to grow and...
How to grow green beans
Beans are perfect for a sunny, well-drained spot. They prefer to grow in moist, fertile soil in a sheltered spot away from strong winds, but can also be grown...
How to grow Aubergines, Chillies & Peppers
Aubergines, chillies and sweet peppers are ideal plants for pots and growing from seed is foolproof. All three of these delicious crops are grown in the same way
POND CARE IN OCTOBER
Rescue tender water plants and remove any dying foliage. Place the plants in trays of deep mud or damp sand, or even in a bucket of water, keeping them in a frost-free place such as a conservatory...
How to grow beetroot
Freshly picked beetroot are wonderfully tender with a delicious earthy taste. Best of all, they're really easy to grow from seed. Follow our guide for the perfect crop.
How to grow Potatoes
There are dozens of different potato varieties, usually described as early, second early and main crop potatoes .These names indicate when they crop
How to grow Rosemary
Rosemary is slightly tender and needs a sunny, sheltered position in well-drained soil; it does well in chalky soils. If growing it in a container, add some grit to the compost...
How to grow green Cucumber
Before buying cucumber seed, check that they're ideal for your needs. Greenhouse cucumbers need to be raised in growing bags under the protection of glass...
How to grow Courgettes and Squash
Beans are perfect for a sunny, well-drained spot. They prefer to grow in moist, fertile soil in a sheltered spot away from strong winds, but can also be grown...
How to grow SPINACH, SPINACH BEET, CHARD
Chard is mainly sown in the spring for picking over the summer, although by protecting the crop with a cloche, leaves can be harvested during autumn and winter
How to grow Bay
Bay tolerates both sun and shade, and will grow in any soil providing it isn’t too wet. Position in a sheltered spot as the leaves can be scorched by cold winds...
How to grow Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are satisfying to grow and not difficult even for a beginner. Follow our guide to get the best results and furnish yourself with a year-round supply.
How to grow ARTICHOKES
Globe artichokes are one of the tastiest vegetables you can grow, and are as much at home in the flower garden as they are in the vegetable patch
How to grow Sage
There’s a wide variety of plain green and coloured-leafed sages available in garden centres. Alternatively, take cuttings in late spring or early summer...
How to grow Oregano
Although dried oregano is widely available, you’ll struggle to find fresh leaves in the shops so it’s well worth growing your own. Buy small plants of named varieties
How to grow PEAS
Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn or straight into the ground in spring, and you'll be eating sweet, tender peas straight from the pod all through the summer months...
How to grow Carrots
Carrot varieties are described as early or main crop varieties, but also either short-root or long-root varieties. These names give you an idea of when they will crop...
CARING FOR GARDEN STRUCTURES
Clean water butts by emptying them and spraying out with a jet nozzle on the hose or scrubbing them with a brush. They will then be ready to catch the extra water expected at this time of the year.
FLOWER CARE IN OCTOBER
Plant wallflowers, forget-me-not, Bellis, Primula,Viola (including winter pansies) and other spring bedding plants in prepared ground or pots. In mild areas, it is still possible to sow hardy annuals outside,
FLOWER CARE IN OCTOBER
Plant wallflowers, forget-me-not, Bellis, Primula,Viola (including winter pansies) and other spring bedding plants in prepared ground or pots. In mild areas, it is still possible to sow hardy annuals outside,
SHRUBS AND TREE ADVICE IN OCTOBER
October is an ideal time for moving and planting trees, shrubs and climbers, as well as for hedge planting. Bare-root - Deciduous trees and shrubs, as well as root-wrapped.
FRUIT TREE CARE
Carry on with pruning apple and pear trees, red and white currants and gooseberries. Keep the centre of the tree or bush open to let in the maximum amount of light and to allow air to circulate freely.
How to grow pear
Bare rooted trees need to be planted between December and early March, when they are in their period of dormancy. Alternatively you can plant out ready-grown, potted trees...
How to grow gooseberry
How to grow mangoes? Although mango trees grow very large outside in the tropics, they can be grown as smaller plants in pots, or even as houseplants when they are young...
How to grow parsley
Parsley is a biennial – flowering then dying in its second year – but is usually grown as an annual. It's notoriously slow to germinate, but is worth growing...
How to grow Celery
Celery adds a delicious savoury hint to recipes and by planting ready-grown seedlings in the spring you will be picking fresh, crunchy stems from summer...
How to grow PUMPKINS
See how to grow the best pumpkin for Halloween. Follow our guide to ensure your pumpkin is the biggest and tastiest. Read for more info o how to grow pumpkins...
How to grow Tarragon
Tarragon leaves picked in midsummer are best for freezing With its delicate aniseed taste, this herb is perfect with chicken and fish. It's the main flavouring...