Experts have recommended that these 10 jobs are the definitive list of garden tasks to be getting on with this October, to ensure you enjoy a stunning outside space next year
By tackling these 10 jobs this October, you ensure your outdoor space is primed to enjoy next year. You might not be spending that much time relaxing in your garden over the next few months, but now is the prime time to get to work to set yourself up with a stunning green space when things warm up next year.
From essential plant maintenance to spring planting, experts have provided the definitive list of what you need to tackle this autumn in your garden. Whether you’re a dab hand at gardening or a total novice, it’s good to have an overview of what needs to be on your to-do list at this time of year, and even if your outside space is confined to a small patio or an apartment balcony, there are still things for you to be getting on with – and it may well include a quick trip to your local garden centre.
The experts at Priory Farm Estate explain on their website that to kick things off you need to collect any fallen leaves in your garden or outside space – this might be a job you have to tackle a few times as the trees continue to shed over the next few weeks. If you have a patio this will stop things from getting slippery and tidy things up generally, and if you have a lawn then it is a crucial task to keep your turf as healthy as possible. If there is too much fallen foliage on your grass, then it can stop the proper flow of water, nutrients, and airflow to its root system – which can have some serious consequences if left unchecked.
Whether you have a lawn or not, you should collect up fallen leaves but don’t necessarily throw them away just yet. Gardening expert and TV presenter Monty Don swears that keeping them and allowing them to turn into ‘leafmould’ – something he is “obsessive” over – because it works as a powerful, and free, soil conditioner if you have the space to let them decompose. Leaving them for two years will get the best compost, but you can still use it as a soil topper before this if you run out of patience.
“If you don’t have room for a dedicated leaf bay,” advises Don, “then put the mown leaves into a black bin bag, punch a few drainage holes in the bottom, soak them and let it drain, and then store it out of sight. This system works perfectly well.”
But if you don’t have the space even for a bin bag option, then consider using them for our second essential autumn gardening task: helping create habitats and safe spots for wildlife in your garden. Small drifts of leaves and piles of twigs can go a long way for our wildlife friends, and encourage everything from insects to birds and hedgehogs to spend more time in your garden – improving the overall health of the ecosystem.
Next up, you’re going to need to do some pruning at this time of year before the frosts arrive. For some plants, if you leave this too late and too close to the coldest weather, it can leave them vulnerable to winter damage. Fruit trees and hedges are a must to prune back at this time of year, Priory Farm estate recommends, but make sure you give them a good water once you’re done with your loppers.
If you have any herbs growing in your outside space, now is the time to give them a good cut back – this will help them keep their flavour if you intend on using them to cook over the next couple of months and encourage new growth. If you don’t do this then the plant will put its energy into generating seeds and flowers, which the experts say can diminish their flavour.
The fifth essential job to do at this time of year is mulching – replenishing your soil’s health and protecting your plants from weeds. “This is the perfect time of year for mulching where there is still some warmth in the soil and plenty of moisture which you can trap beneath a cosy blanket of mulch. Mulching is used to retain moisture, reduce weed growth, and promote healthy soil,” Priory Farm Estate explains.
“You can use wood chips, grass cuttings, and fallen leaves – dead, organic plant material that provides precious nutrients to the soil as it decays. Add a layer of mulch around your trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials.”
Next, if you have any gaps in your borders or beds, this month presents a great opportunity to fill them in with some much-needed autumn colour – heleniums are a fantastic option that will bring a sense of dynamism to your garden.
If you have a pond – now is the time to do some essential maintenance like clearing out any fallen foliage and cutting back the surrounding plants. The experts recommend adding “a polystyrene float or ball to ensure a hole stays open if the surface ices over during the winter.”
Equally, if you have a greenhouse, then use this time to give it a good clear out, any old plants or soil should be removed, and the place thoroughly cleaned – walls included, to make sure enough light gets to your plants in winter.
Cleaning your plant pots is also a great thing to do in the autumn, to remove any bacteria or fungus that may be lurking, use diluted bleach and stiff brush, the experts advise, before letting them dry off naturally in the sun.
Finally – and possibly the most fun gardening task you will do this autumn – plan and get on with planting your spring bulbs. There’s nothing like the first emergence of flowers to mark that the freezing cold winter is finally over, providing some cheerful relief. Snowdrops, crocus, and daffodils should all be planted this month – and when they pop their heads up next year you will be greeted with a stunning scene.
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