Aabelard

The October Garden

We asked our resident gardening expert Ellie what was on her hit list of must do’s in the garden this month. The weather has been unseasonably dry and sunny so some things can hang over into November.

Sort out your vegetable garden. Dig over the beds that have finished producing, weed and add compost.

Start some winter pruning of shrubs. Be careful not to cut certain plants down too hard, especially things like tall leggy Buddleia (late February is the time for further cutting).

Start to winter-tidy herbaceous borders being careful to leave late flowering plants such as Asters and Dahlias.

Empty any pots that have had annuals in them and are looking scrubby. This year, the late, hot spell we've had in September has meant that lots of pots still look very colourful. Use the old compost as a top dressing for beds.

Tidy strawberry beds. Clear out all straw, weeds and self-positioned or excess runners. Replant new runners where plants are old or unproductive.

Start the conker/beech mast/leaf clear up now that leaves have begun to drop in earnest. 

Wait until nature helps out with some consistent rainfall before starting to divide perennials, move shrubs, plant wallflowers and bulbs. It’s been SO dry that without concerted watering these things will be hard too do and less likely to have successful outcomes.

Enjoy the last sunny days. Pick up conkers. Have a bonfire. Gather fruit. Happy gardening!  

Oh, and by the way, meet Brian who was delighted with his apron and sent us this picture of some happy October gardening.  Thank you for the picture Brian - we think you look fabulous!

Leave a comment

Sign up to receive our latest news

Subscribe to our newsletter and enter our competition - we are giving away an embossed apron once a month.