What to sow and plant in October

Jobs for established plants in October

• Autumn Tidy
  Alpine Strawberry (Mignonette)

  Remove old, tatty leaves. Divide clumps every 3 years in spring.

• Lift and Store
  Begonia (Non-Stop Mixed)

  After the first frost blackens the leaves, cut stems to 10 cm, lift, dry off upside down, and store in dry compost somewhere frost-free.

• Autumn Colour and Berries
  Berberis (thunbergii Atropurpurea)

  Fiery leaves and red berries for birds.

• Divide Big Clumps
  Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Goldsturm)

  Every 3–4 years, lift large clumps and split them into smaller pieces to replant.

• Cut Out Fruited Canes
  Blackberry (Loch Ness)

  Cut canes that fruited this year to the ground; tie in the new ones for next year.

• Autumn Colour
  Boston Ivy

  The wall turns scarlet — take a photo.

• Lift and Store
  Calla Lily (Zantedeschia)

  After the first frost blackens the leaves, cut stems to 10 cm, lift, dry off upside down, and store in dry compost somewhere frost-free.

• Final Fall Cutback
  Comfrey (Bocking 14)

  Before winter sets in, cut back all comfrey foliage to ground level. This prepares the plant for dormancy and provides excellent material for mulching or composting.

• Autumn Pest/Disease Check
  Crab Apple (Red Sentinel)

  Perform a final inspection for any late-season pests or diseases before the tree enters dormancy.

• Autumn Mulching
  Damson (Merryweather)

  Apply a fresh layer of organic mulch (e.g., wood chips, well-rotted compost) around the base of the tree to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and protect roots over winter.

• Autumn Colour
  Dogwood (Midwinter Fire)

  Orange autumn leaves.

• Autumn Colour
  Flowering Cherry (Amanogawa)

  Enjoy the orange-red autumn leaves.

• Let the Leaves Die Back
  Freesia (Single Mixed)

  Leave the foliage for at least six weeks after flowering, until it yellows — don't knot or cut it. Then tidy it away.

• Lift and Store the Corms
  Freesia (Single Mixed)

  Once the leaves yellow, lift the corms, dry them for a few weeks and store in paper bags somewhere cool and frost-free until spring.

• Bring Indoors
  Geranium (Zonal Pelargonium)

  Before the first frost, move plants to a bright, frost-free windowsill or greenhouse and water sparingly until spring.

• Lift and Store
  Gladiolus (Large-Flowered Mixed)

  After the first frost blackens the leaves, cut stems to 10 cm, lift, dry off upside down, and store in dry compost somewhere frost-free.

• Autumn Clean-up
  Greengage (Cambridge Gage)

  Clear fallen leaves and fruit from around the tree to reduce overwintering pests and diseases.

• Dig Roots
  Horseradish

  Dig up roots as needed from autumn to spring. Grate outdoors — it makes your eyes water!

• Leave Flower Heads for Winter
  Hydrangea (Mophead)

  Leave the old flower heads on over winter — they protect the buds below from frost.

• Autumn Colour
  Japanese Maple

  Enjoy the autumn colour — a good moment for a photo for the journal.

• Autumn Colour
  Judas Tree (Forest Pansy)

  Leaves turn orange and red.

• Autumn Tidy Up
  Lemon Balm

  As the plant dies back, cut away any remaining dead or yellowing foliage. In colder regions, apply a layer of mulch around the base for winter protection.

• Bring Indoors
  Lemon Verbena

  Before frosts, move the pot to a frost-free greenhouse or cool, bright room and water sparingly; it will drop its leaves.

• Leaf-Mould Mulch
  Male Fern

  Mulch around the crown with leaf mould or compost.

• Autumn Mulching
  Oregano

  Apply a layer of organic mulch (e.g., straw, compost) around the base of the plant in late autumn to protect roots from winter frosts.

• Winter Protection Prep
  Peach (Peregrine)

  Ensure the tree is ready for winter dormancy.

• Apply Autumn Mulch
  Pear (Concorde)

  Apply a 5-10cm (2-4 inch) layer of organic mulch (e.g., wood chips, compost) around the base of the tree, keeping it away from the trunk, to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and…

• Cut Down Foliage
  Peony (Sarah Bernhardt)

  Cut stems to ground level once leaves turn brown, and clear them away to reduce disease.

• Autumn Mulching
  Peppermint

  Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to protect it through winter.

• Autumn Colour
  Persimmon (Kaki)

  Spectacular orange-red leaves — take a photo.

• Autumn Mulching
  Plum (Victoria)

  Apply a fresh layer of organic mulch (compost, wood chips) around the base of the tree to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

• Berries and Autumn Colour
  Rowan (Mountain Ash)

  Glowing berries and leaves — take a photo.

• Autumn Colour
  Silver Birch

  The leaves turn butter yellow. Leave them under the tree as a mulch or rake them onto the compost heap.

• Autumn Colour
  Smoke Bush (Royal Purple)

  Scarlet autumn leaves — take a photo.

• Autumn Tidy
  Strawberry (Mara des Bois)

  Remove old leaves and straw after the last fruits. Replace plants every 2–3 years.

• Autumn Colour
  Witch Hazel (Arnold Promise)

  Leaves turn yellow and orange.

Other months

What to sow in January, What to sow in February, What to sow in March, What to sow in April, What to sow in May, What to sow in June, What to sow in July, What to sow in August, What to sow in September, What to sow in November and What to sow in December.