October Notes from the Potting Shed
with Gardening Expert Chris Milborne
October marks a new season in the garden. There is an autumn feel in the air and, after a hot, dry summer, lawns are now lush and green and plants have recovered. Gardens are starting to slow to a gentler pace, making this an excellent time to get ahead. Plant dormant spring-flowering bulbs and corms, packed full of energy. Although there is nothing above ground, below they are sending out roots in damp soil, ready for colourful displays next spring. Narcissus will also naturalise easily, giving years of colour.
Time to Plan
Plan for next year by identifying areas for improvement and plants that have struggled in changing weather conditions. Gardens continually change as they age and benefit from regular updating with new plants and ideas, achieving year-round interest through flowers, leaf shapes and colours, stems and bark.
Plant
Autumn is the best time to plant. The soil is still warm from summer and, combined with seasonal rain, conditions are ideal. Trees and deciduous shrubs have no new leaf growth, so lose less water through transpiration, allowing roots to establish before next spring. Thoroughly water the root ball before planting and continue watering until established. Mulch with organic matter and use bone meal, slow-release fertiliser or mycorrhizal feed.
Towards the end of October, cooler nights and warm days bring glorious shades of red, orange, yellow and purple. Japanese Acers and Cotinus offer particularly vibrant foliage. For flowers, berries and fruit, consider Pyracantha, Abelia, Caryopteris, hardy Fuchsias, Ceratostigma, Callicarpa, Chaenomeles, Cotoneaster and Hypericum.
Crab apples are ideal for smaller gardens, with spring blossom, colourful fruit and autumn leaves. For late-season borders, choose Asters, Actaea, Japanese Anemones, Penstemons and Rudbeckias. Cyclamen hederifolium is perfect for dry, shady areas beneath trees and shrubs. Continue to deadhead Dahlias and Cosmos until the first frosts.
Luscious Lawns
Reseed bare patches or lay new turf while conditions allow good root establishment. Scarify and aerate lawns, repair edging and level bumps and hollows, then finish with an autumn lawn feed.
Prune climbing Roses, removing old, damaged or crossing stems. Tie stems to trellis or wires, bending them slightly for better flower production next year.
Colourful Containers
Refresh tired summer containers with pansies, violas, bedding cyclamen, winter-flowering heathers, grasses, Hebes and Chrysanthemums. Add Cordylines, Phormiums, Nandinas, Leucothoes, Skimmias and dwarf conifers for height and foliage. Interplant with dwarf spring bulbs for winter and spring interest.
Grow Your Own
Plant fruit trees, soft fruit bushes, spring cabbages, overwintering onion sets and garlic. In the greenhouse, sow winter lettuce, baby spinach, corn salad and spring onions. Have horticultural fleece ready to protect tender plants as the weather turns.
