The Lawn in October
Your lawn will be approaching dormancy for the winter period, but there are still some useful tasks to tackle in dry periods!
A final mowing of the season can be made if a mild October has kept the grass growing (But keep the blades on the high side!).
Aerate any areas previously missed through lack of time (or energy!) by spiking the lawn with a garden fork.
Rake any accumulated ‘thatch’ from the lawn and likewise rake up and remove fallen leaves on occasion to allow light to enter the lawn ‘sward.’
The Flower Garden
Some annual flowers in the garden, be it in containers or in borders, will be looking a little sad by now and should be removed. However, flowers such as cosmos, begonias/geraniums which are more strictly perennials may still be performing well. (Rember to throw a sheet of white garden fleece over them though if frost threatens!)
Cut back perennial plants when flowering is complete. You can compost some but destroy any foliage exhibiting any signs of disease.
Perennial flowers can get very overcrowded in just a few years, so whilst the soil is still warm, lift affected plants and separate them to form new plants with more vigour. You can always offer surplus to relatives or the neighbours!
When your perennial plant borders are tidy, mulch with garden compost, well- rotted manure, or composted bark. This protects the plant roots from heavy frosts in winter.
If not already actioned, lift the corms of gladioli and tubers of dahlias and begonias. Dry them off and remove surplus foliage. They can then be stored inside in a cool, dry place until re-planting in the spring.
Prune climbing and rambling roses and tie remaining shoots to walls and fences for support during the winter.
The Vegetable Plot
Harvest and store squashes and pumpkins before the first frosts. You may be left with a ‘mushy mess’ otherwise as the fruit thaws!
Remember you still have time to sow ‘baby’ salads. If you have cleared your greenhouse tomatoes, you can re-use your grow-bags which will still retain sufficient feed for the salads.
Protect the immature cauliflower curds, by folding over a side leave on top of the curd for protection. Alternatively, use garden fleece to cover the whole plants.
Should soil conditions allow, you can start to dig trenches to help the growth of runner beans/peas when planted next spring. Fill these trenches with garden compost or farm yard manure through the winter.
In the asparagus border, cut back yellowing growth to around 5ins for the winter You will see re-growth in the spring.
Cut down any remaining tomato and pepper plants left in the greenhouse and hang them upside down to speed ripening of the remaining fruit.
The Fruit Garden
Later maturing apple varieties are still being harvested. Often, it can be difficult to know when individual apples are ripe.
Want to know when to pick?
Cup a fruit in your palm and gently tug on the stalk. A ripe fruit will separate fairly easily.
Remove any diseased fruit from trees and on the ground to prevent pests/diseases overwintering.
Cut back and destroy old foliage on strawberries to keep air movement around the plants and prevent disease through winter.
Maybe you have a large, congested clump of rhubarb?
Now’s the time then to lift and split the clump into a number of plants to be re-planted as required.
The Greenhouse
Your greenhouse may well be empty by now and if so, now is a great time to give it a thorough wash down and clean – inside and out!
This will rid you of any pests and diseases and result in a clean start for next year’s crops.
