The garden in October

Leaves are falling and there is a cold nip in the air all of a sudden. Autumn is certainly upon us with what feels like Winter very near.

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

Despite this, Autumn is a beautiful time of year. The colour of the turning leaves are stunning. Avoid the temptation of Christmas laden shelves and go out for a walk to enjoy the spectacle!

Herbaceous

Good time to plant herbaceous perennials, moving plants and splitting them where necessary. Some late flowering plants can be dead headed, but most can be cut back to a few centimetres of ground level as their foliage will be past their best. Don't forget that some plants will look great as skeleton stems and seed heads throughout the winter. If you have borders which need a complete overhaul this is a great chance to dig over the ground now to weather over winter so it will be ready for planting in spring.

Hedges

Hedges which are to be planted can be done now. If they are evergreen get them in by mid month so they stand some chance of getting established before winter.

Water features and aquatic plants

Thin oxygenating plants if necessary. Remove debris and falling leaves from the bottom of the pool. If the water appears dark, then possibly drain it off and replace. Continue to feed any fish providing that they are still eating.

Lawns

This is the time to aerate, scarify, hollow tine and then treat with an Autumn fertiliser. If the lawn is new, then mow it when it's about 8/9cm high. Any loose seedlings can be rolled to secure if they are loose and if you feel inclined!

Fruit and Vegetables

If you are thinking of buying fruit bushes, then this is a good time to do it. Dig over the soil and mix with a fertilizer to prepare for planting. Good time to plant spring cabbages, brussels sprouts and winter lettuce. Put grease bands around fruit trees trunks to stop winter moths.

General

Collect seeds from any late flowering annual where available. Plant spring bulbs. Remove dead leaves of iris and cut back long leaves by a quarter. Keep feeding hedgehogs until they go into hibernation. Provide them with a hedgehog box if you want to help them survive the winter months.