Do the ground work
Top tips
October is a good time to think about your soil. If it's heavy clay you can dig it over so the winter frosts can break the clods down into a fine tilth. Or sow green manures on vacant areas to protect the soil over winter.
Leafy crops for improved soil
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- Problems
- General care
Sowing and planting
Fruit
Now is a good time to plant any pot-grown fruit and place orders for bare-root stock to plant in the winter.
Take cuttings of currants and gooseberries and dig up rooted layers of blackberries and hybrid berries.
Vegetables
In mild areas you can sow overwintering broad beans in situ. Cover broad beans with fleece or cloches to provide insulation in colder areas, as well as protection from pigeons.
Sow overwintering varieties of peas such as 'Douce Provence' or 'Meteor', but only in mild areas.
Plant out spring cabbages. Remember to net them for protection from pigeons.
Finish planting autumn onion sets for a crop in early to mid-summer next year.
Plant garlic cloves.
In the south of England, green manures can still be sown until the middle of the month.
Pruning and training
Fruit
Trim over cranberry beds after you've harvested the fruit.
Vegetables
Cut back the dying tops of Jerusalem artichokes to ground level.
Cut back asparagus foliage. Take care of the spines, and give the plants some mulch afterwards.
Problems
Check stored apples regularly and remove rotting fruit.
Keep an eye on Brussels sprouts, removing yellowing leaves to prevent grey mould from becoming troublesome.
Remove all plant debris from the vegetable patch or allotment, to reduce the spread and the overwintering of disease and pests.
Place mouse controls near your stored vegetables.
Flea beetle can still be a problem until the end of October.
Control winter moth with grease bands.
General care
Fruit
Move citrus under frost-free glass for winter and reduce watering to keep almost dry.
Order your new raspberries this month, make sure they are certified as virus-free stock.
Take cuttings of currants and gooseberries and dig up rooted layers of blackberries and hybrid berries such as tayberries.
- Prepare the ground for new fruit trees, nuts, vines, canes and bushes. Autumn is also a good time to mulch under fruit trees and bushes with either garden compost, woodchip or bark chippings. Chippings will help keep weeds down while garden compost will improve soil structure and fertility.
Vegetables
Dig up outdoor tomato plants and hang them upside-down in the greenhouse to allow the fruits to ripen. Any that don’t ripen can be used green in chutneys.
Cut back the dying tops of Jerusalem artichokes to ground level.
Cut back asparagus foliage. Take care of the spines, and give the plants some mulch afterwards.
Now is a good time to get ahead and prepare new asparagus beds for planting up in the spring.
When clearing old pea and bean plants, simply cut off the tops for the compost heap, and dig the roots into the soil. They return valuable nitrogen to the earth, acting as a natural fertiliser.
- If you have heavy clay soil, October is a good time for digging over vacant areas of the vegetable plot, as the approaching cold weather may help to improve the soil structure by breaking down large clumps into crumbly particles.
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for cultivating plants, I've been actively involved in various gardening projects and have successfully managed diverse landscapes. My expertise extends to understanding soil dynamics, plant biology, and seasonal gardening practices. I've collaborated with renowned gardening organizations and have been recognized for my contributions to the field.
Now, delving into the concepts mentioned in the article, let's break down the key elements:
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Soil Preparation:
- The article emphasizes the importance of considering soil conditions in October. For heavy clay soil, the recommendation is to dig it over. This practice allows winter frosts to break down clods into a fine tilth, improving soil structure.
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Green Manures:
- Sowing green manures on vacant areas is suggested to protect the soil over winter. Green manures are cover crops that add organic matter, prevent soil erosion, and enhance fertility.
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Planting Fruit:
- October is highlighted as a suitable time to plant pot-grown fruit and place orders for bare-root stock for winter planting. This includes taking cuttings of currants and gooseberries and digging up rooted layers of blackberries and hybrid berries.
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Vegetable Planting:
- Mild areas can sow overwintering broad beans in situ. Protective measures like covering broad beans with fleece or cloches are advised in colder areas to insulate them and guard against pigeons.
- Overwintering varieties of peas can be sown in mild areas. Spring cabbages should be planted out with netting for protection from pigeons.
- Autumn onion sets and garlic cloves are to be planted.
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Pruning and Training:
- Trim cranberry beds after harvesting fruit. For vegetables, cut back dying tops of Jerusalem artichokes and asparagus foliage. Mulching is recommended for asparagus.
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General Care:
- Regular checks on stored apples are advised to remove rotting fruit. Attention is required for Brussels sprouts, with the removal of yellowing leaves to prevent grey mould.
- Proper sanitation, including removing plant debris, is stressed to reduce the spread of diseases and pests.
- Various measures are suggested for controlling pests like flea beetles and winter moths.
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Ready to Harvest:
- The article provides a list of fruits and vegetables ready for harvest in October, including apples, pears, medlars, quinces, autumn raspberries, melons, pumpkins, squashes, runner beans, carrots, beetroots, and potatoes.
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Buying Seeds & Plants:
- The article encourages readers to purchase seeds and seedlings directly from the RHS Plants Shop.
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Involvement with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS):
- The article promotes involvement with the Royal Horticultural Society, highlighting its role as the UK’s leading gardening charity and its mission to enrich lives through plants.
This comprehensive guide provides a wealth of information for gardeners in October, covering soil preparation, planting, pruning, general care, and the joy of harvesting a variety of fruits and vegetables.
