Here are some of the main jobs for the month of October:
If your greenhouse is fairly empty, now's a good time to clean and disinfect it. This lets in more light, and prevents pests and diseases from over-wintering.
Protect half-hardy plant with fleece or bring them into a frost-free greenhouse.
Sweep up any fallen leaves that harbour fungal spores and provide ideal hiding places for slugs and snails. Use them to make leaf mould for the garden.
Lift and divide any overcrowded herbaceous perennials whilst the soil is still warm.
IN THE FLOWER GARDEN
Lift dahlia and begonia tubers and gladioli corms to store over the winter months. Remove any dead foliage before storing them.
You can take hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs now.
Prune rambling and climbing roses once they've finished flowering, and tie in the stems before autumn winds cause damage.
Clear up fallen rose leaves to prevent diseases such as black spot from over-wintering. To avoid the spread of damaging fungi, don't compost the leaves.
Clear overhanging plants from pathways to maintain access around the garden.
Cut back perennial plants that have died down. Alternatively leave the dead foliage in place to shelter friendly wildlife.
After tidying borders, mulch with bark chip, well rotted manure, leaf mould or spent mushroom compost to insulate plant roots for the winter and keep weed growth in check.
This month is the ideal time to plant hedges, edible hedging, and move trees and shrubs.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR LAWN
Clear up fallen leaves regularly to allow light to the grass.
A last mowing can be made this month before leaving your lawn for the winter.
Recut any lawn edges if needed. Install lawn edging to make future maintenance easier.
Aerate your lawn with a garden fork to avoid waterlogging and compaction over winter.
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