October

October sees the sunshine waning with days shortening and the clocks going back on Sunday 26th. Unless we garden by torchlight there is less time available to get out there, so there may be a sense of urgency to ‘get things done’ before winter starts to bite.

Tidy up

Deciduous tree leaves are colouring up and starting to fall. Rake them up to minimise the hiding places for over-wintering pests and diseases, though it’s always good to leave some in a wildlife corner if possible. You may like to make a simple chicken-wire bin to deposit them so they can degrade into leaf mould then later be added back to the garden as mulch. Adding these leaves to a home compost bin tends to slow the process down somewhat so it’s best to keep them separate.

Depending on the weather, you may get a final chance to cut and edge the lawn to neaten things up before the ground gets too soggy. This can really transform the look of the garden without taking up much time. If you suffer from water-logging or other symptoms of compacted soil, spike the lawn with a garden fork and add grit to improve drainage.

Continue deadheading and weeding: don’t allow those perennial weeds to overwinter or they will be back with even greater vigour in the spring. Follow the rule of ‘d’ with your pruning and remove any dead, damaged or diseased branches. Tall, summer flowering shrubs such as buddleia can be reduced by half if you want to reign them in, though you may like to leave a few flower heads for the birds to feed on.

Plant it

While the soil is still warm it’s the perfect time to plant daffodil and allium bulbs for spring flowering. Hold fire with the tulips though; they do better planted out after the temperature has dropped, when the diseases they are prone to have died off, so save those until November.

Onion sets and garlic can also be planted now for harvesting next summer. You’ll find both at your local garden centre, but you can just use garlic that you’ve bought from the supermarket or local shop, just separate out the cloves and plant each one about 10cm (4”) deep and 15cm (6”) apart in well-drained soil.

It’s the right time of year to plant out bare rooted trees or hedging plants. The Woodland Trust give free trees to schools and community groups as well as selling to the general public: see www.woodlandtrust.org.uk for more information on who qualifies for freebies and how to apply.

Tuck up and tidy away

Any spent compost from grow bags, hanging baskets or pots can be reused as a mulch to tuck up perennial plants and protect them and the soil from the winter cold and rain.

Canes and plant supports that are no longer in use can be gathered up for indoor storage over winter. If you don’t have a shed or suitable indoor space, just find a sheltered spot. Likewise, disconnect and coil up hoses so they don't freeze and split over winter.

Want the garden waste collection service?

Wealden’s Garden Waste Service enables residents to subscribe to have up to four garden waste bins emptied on a fortnightly basis. The new subscription year has already started but you can still sign up by visiting www.wealden.gov.uk/gardenwaste. If you have already subscribed but want an extra bin please call us on 01323 443322. Happy gardening!