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Autumnal Shades in Your October Garden
With summer already a memory, it is time to turn your thoughts to a beautiful winter garden and plenty of preparation for spring. October is not the time to rest on your laurels - as always, there is plenty to keep you busy in your garden this month.
We all look forward to the first signs of spring and you should continue to plant bulbs now for a colourful garden in February and March. With so many varieties to choose from, you will need to plan your colour scheme carefully.
From daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths to primroses and Christmas roses, irises and tulips, you can create a wonderful display of yellows, purples, pinks and whites to welcome the spring.
New shrubs including skimmia rubella and reevesiana, viburnum Eve Price and mahonia can be planted in October, together with perennials such as aster, anemone and nerine.
Protect tender perennials by moving them to the greenhouse for the next few months. Plants grown outside can be lifted, potted and again, brought under cover for added protection.
Look for pests! Make sure that any plants you are moving into the greenhouse have been checked for pests and treat if necessary. Grosvenor has a wide selection of pest control, so don't forget to ask our experts for help.
Early apples will be ready for harvesting now. Simply lift the apple gently and if it comes away easily, it is ready to go!
Grosvenor celebrates the apple this month with an Apple Days Weekend on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th when there will be many apple-related events including apple pressing demonstrations, apple pie baking and apple tastings for the whole family to enjoy alongside a 'hunt the apple' children's competition.
You can pot herbs now to grow indoors and use throughout the winter for flavoursome soups and casseroles - use your homegrown vegetables to really cut down on food miles. Carrots, potatoes and marrows should be ready to harvest and store. Onions and garlic should also be ready but don't forget they will need to completely dry out before storing.
You can move established conifers and shrubs this month, ensuring you retain as large a rootball as possible for a greater chance of success. Prepare the new site and water well until your trees have taken to their new setting.
Sow lawn seed this month before the weather becomes so cold that the chances of germination are lowered, and feed your lawn with fertiliser to encourage stronger grass roots so that it is already in optimum condition when the spring arrives.
Finally, enjoy the changing seasons and embrace this fine month as the leaves change colour and begin to fall - it will soon be Christmas!
Grosvenor Gardening Tips for October
1. Place a net over the garden pond to keep the leaves out
2. Trim deciduous hedges
3. Lay turf or sow seed to renew damaged areas
4. Plant bulbs now for plenty of spring colour
5. Collect large branches from your pruning to add to the log pile ready for cosy winter fires
6. Sweep up falling leaves regularly
7. Create a compost heap with leaves, discarded twigs and cuttings.
September is the time to really start planning your garden for next spring – what colour themes would you like to grow, what is the overall effect you would like to achieve and think carefully about the best positions for your chosen plants. And with bulbs available now, get planting!
