October doesn’t get the greatest press does it? Summer has gone and autumn is turning chilly. There’s drizzle in the air, it’s getting dark earlier and earlier and it won’t be long before the clocks go back. On the face of it October isn’t a great month to be a gardener.

But there are still plenty of jobs to do before the hatches are firmly battened down for winter. It does of course already feel colder and we probably all need to motivate ourselves just a little more to get out in the garden or greenhouse. 

But if you’re looking to keep yourself busy here’s a short list of tasks for October:

●Harvest any remaining apples, pears and other fruits.

●Cut back perennials and prune climbing roses.

●Collect and sow seeds from plants in the garden.

●Clear out the greenhouse or polytunnel.

●Clean and overhaul your essential gardening tools.

●Lawns can be mowed and hedges trimmed for the last time this year. Which will probably be a big relief for most of us.

Apart from those jobs listed above there’s something else you can and should be doing in October. Planting.

Planting in October

October is the perfect time of year to plant low-maintenance shrubs, trees and hedges. Very hardy, they require little looking after during winter, just give them a good watering when planting, then you can forget about them until they burst into life in spring. Remember, though the plant won’t grow much if at all over winter beneath the ground the roots will be growing. By the time spring arrives the plants or trees will be well established and in vigorous health.

And of course, all this is equally true for planting bulbs. Pop them in the border and in spring you’ll be rewarded with a show of colour.

One of the great things about October is that the soil is so easy to work. The ground is still warm before the frosts begin in November and the rainfall ensures digging isn’t too much of a pain.

Planting tips for October

Before planting your shrub, tree or plant make sure you give it a good soak before removing it from its pot. While the plant is watering you can prepare the ground. Dig a hole which is deep enough to accommodate the root ball. It should be 1.5 to 2 times the size of the root ball. Once the hole is dug work in plenty of compost and some fertilizer when you backfill the hole after placing the plant. Once the plant is dug in firm the soil around it by tramping with your foot and give the plant another thorough watering.

That’s more or less it. The plant should be set fair to get through winter. As we mentioned earlier you won’t see much growth in the plant itself over the colder months. But, below ground and beneath the mulch, the roots will be growing and come spring you’ll have a healthy plant all ready to burst into life.

Click here to visit Direct Plants and find the perfect shrub, tree or plant for your garden.