Gardener's Calendar - October
Things to do in...
The harvest moon hangs round and high. It dodges clouds high in the sky. The stars wink down their love and mirth. The autumn season is giving birth. Oh, it must be October. ~Pearl N Sorrels~
October to sum is regarded as the first month of spring, as much can be done in preparation for the spring. Lawns laid, bulbs planted and shrubs and trees will be given a good start with warm moist soil. Weather wise you should still have a few good days in October, to get into the garden and finish off those last few jobs. Autumn, natures time for planting...
Flower Borders
The flower garden is an easier place to be in October. The main tasks are really general maintenance, continue to clear up any leaves that have started to fall and also keep on top of those perennial weeds. Now is one of the best times to spray, as they are very susceptible, it will take a bit longer, but be very effective.
In the herbaceous borders, cut back all the faded and finished flowers, and tidy up. Clumps of plants that are overcrowded can be lifted and divided now, things like Astersand Crocosmias. Replant these in other areas of the borders to obtain double the display next year.
Dahlias and Cannas should be hit by the first frosts before lifting. Deciduous shrubs and spring flowering shrubs like Lavatera, Buddleia that are normally pruned hard in the spring can be cut back by half now. This will help prevent wind rock in the winter. Roses should be pruned now, if not done already last month. Thin the roses out, always pruning to an outfacing bud, remove any diseased wood and suckers that are coming from the root stock. Climbing roses can be pruned amid the branches trained laterally along the frame.
Vegetable and Fruit Gardens
Harvest Pumpkins and Squashes now, put them in the garage or shed to let the skins harden off before storing them.
Dig up any remaining outdoor tomatoes and put on the compost heap, also start to go through the vegetable beds clearing up any crops that are now finished and put the remains on the compost heap. October is a great month to dig over your beds and incorporate some manure or your own compost. Double dig to increase the fertile depth of your soil and when the first frosts come they will help break the soil up even more.
Finish planting onion sets for a crop early to mid summer next year.
You can divide rhubarb in October. Cultivate the soil deeply, adding plenty of well-rotted farmyard manure. Drainage is important and as the crop will be there for a number of years, eradicates all perennial weeds prior to planting. Plant the crown with the growing point at, or just below, the soil surface. On wetter soils plant the bud just above the soil to prevent rotting.
New fruit trees can be planted in October, the soil is still warm from the summer but the moisture level is high.
Make sure that newly planted strawberry beds do not dry out, use recycled rain water from water butts wherever possible.
Lawns
October is a great month to get the lawns in tip top condition for next year. Think about scarifying, aerating and top dressing, as well as leaf removal etc.
Scarifying
Thatch (old grass stems, dead moss and other debris) can build-up on lawns between grass roots and foliage. Regular raking (left) keeps levels acceptable but a layer greater than 1cm (0.5in) can impede water and fertiliser penetration. To remove such build-up, rake vigorously but carefully with a spring-tine rake - a process known as scarifying. For larger areas powered tools are available as single units or mower attachments.
Aerating
Compacted lawns benefit from spiking to deter summer drought and winter water logging. For average lawn aeration every two to three years should be adequate. Concentrate on areas that receive the most wear.
Small areas can be spiked with a garden fork, spacing holes 10-15cm (4-6in) apart. On clay or waterlogged soils use a hollow tine aerator every three to four years. This extracts plugs of soil from the lawn. After hollow tining sweep up the plugs then top dress with a sandy mixture to improve air and moisture penetration.
Top Dressing
Top dressing corrects surface irregularities and improves the texture of difficult soils, consequently encouraging greater rooting and thickening of turf. A simple mixture is three parts sandy loam, six parts sharp sand and one part compost or leaf mould (by volume). Apply 2-3kg per sq metre, working the dressing in well with the back of a rake. Afterwards apply an autumn lawn feed. These are generally low in nitrogen to discourage lush green growth.
October is also a great month to lay turf. The soil is warm from the summer but higher moisture levels ensure the turf will root quickly.
Patio and Greenhouse Gardening
Most important jobs for any gardener with a glasshouse or conservatory is husbandry. It is very important 
that during October all plant material should be swept up and disposed of, vents and doors should be left open for as long is possible. Watering should be done as required and humidity should be reduced if your plants allow. This will help keep control of Botrytis in your covered area. Any shading put up should be removed now, as light levels will begin to drop. If you have any half hardy plants and no heat source, obtain some fleece to help protect these during the winter.
Summer baskets generally will be past there best now, so remove these and start to replant containers with winter and spring colour. Use plants such as Ivies, Heathers, Cyclamen and Pansies and incorporate spring flowering bulbs to take you right through.
Unheated glasshouses can be insulated with bubble wrap as the month goes on. Houseplants, particularly foliage, should be stood on gravel trays soaked in water. This will help increase the humidity as central heating is switched on. Also grouping these types of plants together will help provide a more humid micro climate.
General Tasks
Weed your borders; perennial weeds are at their most vulnerable now and very susceptible to weed killers. Pruning on deciduous shrubs can still be done now. Good housekeeping will pay dividends next year. Keep a watchful eye for fungal infections such as black spot and botrytis, treat with a systemic fungicide. Last chance to prune hedges.
Plants of the Month
A selection of plants that are especially interesting this month.
Fruit Trees and Bushes
Acers
Viburnum Tinus
Leucothe
Conifers
Skimmia
Roses
Camellia
If you’re looking for ideas or some inspiration, visit Redfields where our staff can help you with all of the above and MUCH MORE.
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