01-10-2022

Gardening Jobs for October

For your garden to all run smoothly, every month brings new gardening tasks and jobs which need to be carried out—even in the winter months. From lawn care to sowing and planting seeds, everything needs to be down to a fine art to ensure your spring and summer months are fully blooming and bursting with colour.

October is no different. While it may be wet, cold, and windy, there is still plenty to be done. It is time to think ahead to spring, and prep everything for the big chill.

Nothing major can be done at this time of year because of the weather, but you essentially need to keep everything tidy and reduce your job list for the new year.

Your October Gardening Checklist

Here is what to do in the garden in the month of October:

1. Aerate your lawn

Drainage will need to be improved in winter, because of the increase in rain. Aeration can help here, which is simply spiking holes in the grass to improve water flow. These holes can be filled with grit if required.

2. Rake up fallen leaves

October sees the leaves falling from the trees. They will end up on your grass and borders, and while they will rot down given time, they can be a hazard until then.

This especially applies on paths and driveways, which can be slippery. So, rake up the leaves and store them in bags to rot down into leaf mould. This will give you the perfect mulch and potting material for years to come.

If your garden is particularly filled with leaves from a large, old tree, you may prefer to hire a leaf blower. This can help you gather everything in one spot, and then collect it with ease in no time.

You can add these leaves to your compost bin if you don’t have any plans for them. Just check they don’t have any pests or diseases first.

3. Clean bird boxes

Birds have finished nesting, so you should have used a long-reach hedge trimmer to cut back any extreme growth by now. But their bird boxes still need to be cleaned, too.

They can either be left bare for next year or turned into a winter roost. Either way, you need to remove any old nesting material and then disinfect it all using an animal-friendly cleaning solution.

Add a cosy material, such as sheep wool insulation, if you want to make it available for winter.

4. Plant spring bulbs

Bulbs such as crocuses and daffodils can be planted now, and they will be ready for the emergence of spring. You can plant them in pots, borders, or as layers so you have beautiful blooms all year round.

5. Plant evergreen shrubs

Conifers and other evergreens should be planted now while the ground is still relatively warm. Deciduous shrubs which need to be transplanted as they have outgrown their current spots should also be moved now, and you should also reduce the height of shrub roses to avoid wind damage.

6. Take herb cuttings

Shrubby herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, should have cuttings taken. This will ensure that if they don’t survive over winter, you have plenty of crops next year.

Large clumps of herbs which can become overgrown, such as lemon balm, should be split down and either planted elsewhere to grow out or given away to friends to make their herb collections.

7. Keep on top of weeds

Now that the ground is a bit damper, weeds will start thriving. Perennials such as horsetail or bindweed need to be forked up, with the root removed.

Keeping on top of this will ensure you aren’t faced with a sea of weeds in the new year.

8. Harvest the last of your beans & peas

French beans and runner beans should be harvested, leaving you with just a few which will fully ripen, and you can get the seeds to plant for next year. The same applies to sweet peas and any other pea varieties from which you may still have some growth.

 

What to wear when gardening in October

It will be cold outside, so you need to use your clothing to stay warm and retain body heat. Layer up, which will help conserve heat as well as keep you dry if the rain comes on.

Wear work boots: this will help keep your feet warm, as well as keep them dry. Work boots should always be worn in the garden anyway, to ensure nothing is dropped onto your feet. Check they have good soles, which are slip-proof and won’t allow anything to break through (such as sharp tools).

You should wear a waterproof jacket if it is raining. You may wish to avoid being outside entirely if it is raining, as getting wet will make you colder too. Only brave it if your waterproof clothing does keep out all of the damp.

As always, you should always wear gardening or work gloves too. Not only will this keep your hands warm and dry, but it will also protect your hands when cutting down sharp, thorny branches or if possibly coming into contact with slugs, snails, and other damp-loving bugs.

 

READY FOR MORE GARDENING TIPS?

Thank you for reading our blog on what to do in your garden in October.

If you will be using a leaf blower, please read our guide on how to use a leaf blower. We also have a guide on how to use a long-reach hedge trimmer if this is still a job you need to do.

Plus, there are plenty more tips and how-to guides where this came from, please visit our Skills and Projects page.

You’ll find all the power tools and hire equipment you need right here, why not start planning your next DIY project today and open a Speedy account online or instore for all your tool hire needs.

 

Speedy in your pocket
Get a Speedy Account