Gardening tips for October
As autumn draws in and we find comfort in the cosiness of our homes, you can make the most of crisp, autumnal afternoons and prepare your outdoor space for the season ahead. There’s still plenty that can be done to nourish our gardens this month, whether you’re looking to tend your produce and flowers or just keep everything tidy, these are our top tips on what you can do in your outdoor space this October.
What can I do in my garden in October? 
Whether you just prefer spending as much time as possible outdoors, or want to start preparing for the colder months, there’s plenty you can do in your garden this October – starting with a good tidy!
Cut back perennials and ornamental grasses that have finished flowering. This improves their appearance and encourages them to flower again next spring or summer.
You can leave some stems over the colder months as this provides wildlife with food and shelter, as well as giving your garden some winter interest. Use secateurs to cut stems close to the base of the plant.
Make sure to prune any climbing roses too, as their branches can become tangled in the wind Pruned roses will flower beautifully again next year! Do this by fully removing any dead or dying branches, tying in any new shoots, and pruning dead flowers back two thirds of their length.
Keeping your soil healthy is vital to ensure better plant growth next year. Mulching borders with Rocket Gro Magic Mulch will provide plenty of nourishment and protect plant roots from the worst of the winter weather.
Creating a colourful autumn garden
There are so many plants which still flower in October, and you can enjoy the magic of autumn in your garden whilst keeping it looking fun and filled with beautiful flowers.
Did you know that daffodils can bloom as early as January? By planting bulbs in October, you could be enjoying a vibrant array in your garden in the new year. Why not mix and match colours and shapes of daffodils with our mix and match bulb offers?
One of the best things about autumn is the incredible hues. We love oranges, yellows, and reds during this time of year. To keep your garden looking varied this season you can use bedding plants such as primrose, sweet williams, and pansies.
Fragrant indoor bulbs such as prepared hyacinths and paperwhites can also be planted now in time for Christmas and New Year. These look lovely as table centrepieces or to give as seasonal gifts.
Remember to bring any tender potted plants indoors such as begonia, fuchsias, or citrus trees, and keep them in a conservatory or any other frost-free room with natural sunlight.
Which fruit and veg can I grow in my garden in October?
Whilst we may associate autumnal weather with harvest – and absolutely do use this time to enjoy the crops you’ve spent the first half of the year growing – you can still plant certain fruits and vegetables in October!
Remember, before planting new seeds, bulbs, or plants, make sure to remove any crops that have finished fruiting and are beginning to die. We recommend harvesting apples, pears, pumpkins, squashes and gourds this month.
If you’ve been growing spring cabbage or winter salads over the last month, now is the time to plant them outdoors. Cover them with netting to protect them from birds and wildlife.
Autumn is the best time for planting fruit trees and bushes. Currants, blackberries, honeyberries and gooseberries can be planted now and harvested ready to eat from as early as June.
Now is the ideal time to plant garlic and onion bulbs. Both are easy to grow and great for beginners and seasoned veg-growers alike, and by planting now, you could be enjoying home-grown onions and garlic by summer.
How to look after your lawn this season
Autumn is the best season to do a little garden-keeping and ensure your outdoor space is spic and span before the colder weather really starts to set in. By preparing now, you can enjoy a healthy lawn come spring.
Don’t forget to keep on top of weeds too, as these will grow strongly in mild autumn weather.
It’s also your last chance to give your lawns one final trim before the chilly weather really sets in. Your grass won’t grow over the winter, so you want to make sure it looks nice and tidy beforehand.
Apply lawn dressing, such as Miracle-Gro Evergreen Autumn Lawn Care, to improve the soil and strengthen it ready for the upcoming winter.
Scarify your lawn and remove dead grass or moss as this can suffocate your lawn over the winter months. However, be sure not to do this if the soil is very wet.
Rake or use a leaf blower to collect leaves from your lawn and walkways and add them to a compost heap or rot them down into leafmould – perfect for mulching.
For more gardening advice this month, pop in-store and speak to a member of our Green Team, or browse our wide range of autumn gardening products, lawn care, and seeds and bulbs online.