News Headlines
Conceptual Gardens at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2010
Legionnaires' disease in Compost
More snow on the way
High chance of a White Christmas for the UK
Brazilian Mint for pain relief
Mossbank allotments group secure funding for site at old Firth Camp
Oxford allotment rent rises are welcomed
Foggins allotment holder told to remove cockerels
Allotment plots in Lancaster Extended
Derelict allotments revamped by volunteers
Setback for Widdrington allotment holders
Bees still buzzing near Chase Farm
PAC on target re honey bee health research
RHS set to unearth the nations gardening knowledge with its first ever Dig Together Day (1,5 & 6 September)
Mayor of London’s Capital Growth feature at the world’s largest annual gardening event
Long Lost Rhododendron found at Rosemoor
Bee Friendly gardening guide
Sign the petition to prevent the death of Bees
Makeover your garden with the RHS Show Cardiff
The world’s largest annual gardening event set to fuel the nation’s appetite for grow your own
Credit Crunch Chelsea
RHS welcomes Government's £1million for Horticultural apprenticeship scheme
Are you unwittingly killing Bees?
Geoffry Smith Dies
Toby Buckland Tests Moon Planting
Allotment thefts of Fruit and Veg
Aminopyralid withdrawn from sale
Petition the Prime Minister to halt the use of Aminopyralid
Aminopyralid contamination leaves gardens barren for a year
Aminopyralid residue in manure is killing crops
12th Annual World Nettle Eating Championships
Rosemary Leaf Beetles
Monty Don leaves Gardeners World
Chelsea Update - Gold for Edible Playgrounds
Chelsea 2008
Garden Thefts & Insurance Policies
50% off seeds at Thompson & Morgan
Suttons Special Web Only Offer
Give Peas a Chance
The stink of Pollution is over powering the scents of flowers
01/10/2009
October
Early autumn is upon us and the weather is starting to cool down. The summer bedding is now finished and the colour's have been replaced by berries and fruit. Virginia Creeper should have turned to a vibrant red by now. Sedums, Pyracantha, and Rubeckia are also at there best at the at this time of the year.
October in the garden
The main jobs this month are to clear away the remains of the summer bedding plants, plant bulbs and prepare non-hardy plants for the first frosts. Towards the end of the month keep and eye on any dead leaves in ponds. If you have some netting cover the pond to keep out more leaves.
- Prune climbing roses and fruit canes
- Mow lawns
- Lay turf
- Plant cabbages
- Order next years seeds
- Prepare asparagus beds for spring planting
- Cut back asparagus foliage
- Dig over unused vegetable plots and apply manure
In the The Vegetable Garden in October
Harvest Pumpkins and Squashes and leave them in a sunny but dry location to allow their skins to harden. Then store them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Lift potatoes, carrots and beetroot, but leave parsnips until they have been frosted.
Pick remaining beans.
In mild areas plant overwintering broad beans and cover with clochesHoe weeds in Autumn
Water all crops where required
Harvest Onions and bend over the leaves of others to prevent seeding
Continue to lift potatoes
Plant later season crops under cover
Remove Tomato leaves to expose unripe fruit
Pick and store herbs, collect seeds where possible
In the The Fruit garden in October
Pick apples, pears and grapes when they are ripe. Store unblemished apples and pears for storing and cook or eat the remaining.
Lift and divide rhubarb crowns
Take hardwood cuttings from gooseberries, figs, grapes and currants.
Pick hazelnuts and cobnuts when they start to change colour to an orange/brown. Be quick before the squirrel gets them.
After harvesting blackberries and raspberries cut the stems down ready for next years growth.
Cover fig trees with netting and fill with straw to keep the embryonic figs free from frost to allow them to continue to grow next year.
Plant new trees whilst the soil is still warm.
Keep Strawberry runners under control
Prune fruit trees
In the The Flower garden in October
Hoe weeds
Plant spring bulbs
Sow spring flowers
Repair lawns
Take rose cuttings
Trim lavender to promote new growth
In the The Greenhouse in October
With the colder nights approaching keep an eye on the temperature and close the greenhouse windows when required. Feed greenhouse plants and keep them watered.Keep and eye on any new cuttings.Build trusses to support tomato crops.Examine any potted plants to make sure they don't become pot bound, and repot if necessary. Check and service any heating equipment.
