8 jobs to do in the garden in October – tackle these now to give your garden a head start next spring

October is a cosy month, but that doesn’t mean we should hit snooze on our garden jobs – there are plenty of productive jobs to do in the garden in October to set your plants up for the colder weather ahead.

Whether you’re looking for things to plant in October or simply hoping to tidy up your space, you can get busy with a variety of tasks over the next few weeks. In fact, some would say it’s the perfect weather for gardening: not too hot, and not too cold (yet!).

Here’s a list of jobs to do in the garden in October to make the most of this growing season (and prepare for the next one!).

What you'll need

1. Clear fallen leaves

Autumn leaves become more and more commonplace in UK gardens at this time of the year, so you’ll probably find clear leaves at the top of your list of October garden jobs. Luckily, there are lots of ways to use fallen leaves in the garden (you can even turn it into free soil conditioner!).

‘You’ll likely start to see fallen leaves gathering in your garden or in other areas of your property,’ says Craig Wilson, co-founder and in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream. ‘Rake these up and store them in a compost bin. You can then use the leaf mould as mulch to insulate borders.’

Invest in a leaf blower-vacuum like the Husqvarna 120iBV to speed things up, or go for a traditional leaf rake like this steel leaf rake from B&Q.

2. Swap saucers for pot feet

Saucers are a great base for pots in summer, when you’re trying to conserve as much water as possible, but they can become a gateway to waterlogging during the colder months. That’s why experts recommend replacing them with pot feet in October.

‘If you have any potted flowers sitting in saucers, now is the time to switch them out for feet,’ says Craig. ‘This will prevent them from getting waterlogged throughout the winter months as rainfall increases.’

These Verve Laleh terracotta pot feet from B&Q are ideal.

3. Deadhead flowering plants

There are several plants you can deadhead in October to squeeze even more blooms out of them before the first frosts arrive. Repeat-flowering plants like cosmos, dahlias and roses are all top candidates, performing better when spent flowers are removed.

‘I still deadhead plants in October where they’re continuing to flower, as removing faded blooms can keep the garden looking tidy and, for some plants, encourage them to produce more flowers before the season ends,’ says Ross Dyke, Hornby George’s consultant horticulturist and host of The Plant Pod.

‘That said, I wouldn’t deadhead everything. I like to leave some plants with seedheads over autumn and winter, as they can provide food for birds and offer useful structure in the garden. It’s also worth remembering that some plants benefit from being left alone once they’ve finished flowering, so I’d check the individual plant before cutting it back.’

If you do decide to deadhead your plants, it's worth having a dedicated pair of snips to hand like these Spear & Jackson Pink Garden Snips from Amazon.

4. Plant vegetables for overwintering

There are various things you can do with a vegetable in October to boost your crops and plan ahead. Although autumn is generally seen as a season of harvesting, there are plenty of vegetables to sow in October to keep your kitchen garden ticking over during the colder months.

Whether you grow winter salads like lettuce and mustard for steady winter pickings, peas and broad beans for early spring harvests, you can start growing a huge list of vegetables this month.

'October is the time to plant hardy vegetables which can overwinter: peas, broad beans, garlic, shallots and onions can all be sown now,' says Angela Slater, gardening expert at Hayes Garden World.

5. Divide perennials

October, with its cooler weather, is a great time to learn how to divide perennials like hostas and agapanthus and spread the plants throughout your garden.

'Woody perennials or those with a woody crown, such as Aster or Agapanthus, will need some brute force to divide them,' says Stannah’s celebrity gardening expert Mark Lane.

'First, dig them up, and then either cut downwards through the plant with a spade, like slicing a cake, or use a sharp knife and divide the clump into sections. Each section can then be replanted in a fresh hole.'

This Opinel Lock Knife from Amazon is ideal for dividing perennials.

6. Clean your decking

Our outdoor living areas can look a little worse for wear after a long summer. Learn how to clean decking to give your space some TLC this month – not only will it refresh the overall look of your garden, but it's also an important safety measure.

'Don’t forget to give the deck a good clean using a pressure washer or a stiff brush or scraper to remove any moss or lichen on the boards, which can represent a serious slip hazard,' says Leigh Barnes, gardening expert at Jacksons Fencing. 'If you are installing a new deck, opt for decking boards with deep grooves to provide a safe, slip-free surface.'

7. Plant spring-flowering bulbs

If you've been wondering when to plant bulbs for spring, October is a great time to get started.

Popular spring bulb varieties such as daffodils and tulips grow best in sunny parts of the garden. They're among the easiest spring bulbs to grow in pots, too.

When planting in beds, mix compost into the soil to provide rich nutrients for the bulbs to flourish. For pots, you could try Miracle Gro's Premium Bulb Fibre from Amazon.

8. Give your lawn some love

October lawn care tasks are crucial if you're trying to revive dry grass from this summer's heatwaves. It's also the perfect time of year to scarify your lawn, another lawn care job that can transform your grass.

'If you’re planning on laying fresh turf, October and November are the best months to do so,' says Steve Swanborough, gardening expert at Henchman. 'Ease back on mowing and as the leaves gradually begin to fall, make sure to clear them from your lawn to stop it from turning yellow – a leaf blower or garden vac make light work of this.'

FAQs

Should I water my garden in October?

Although the weather is cooling down, it's important to keep your garden well-watered up until the first frost.

Keep an eye on the weather, though – step away from the watering can after spells of heavy rain and make sure you aren't overwatering your plants. Waterlogged soil is a recipe for disaster for most plants, especially if you've recently planted bulbs in the ground.

What is there to do in the greenhouse in October?

Owning a greenhouse can really extend the growing season for a gardener. Plenty of flowers and vegetables can be sown under cover in greenhouses this month, from sweet peas to cauliflower.

October is also a great time to learn how to clean a greenhouse properly, ready for next spring.

Which October garden jobs will you be adding to your list?