Your Essential October Garden Checklist
October marks the true start of autumn — leaves are falling, nights are longer, and gardens need a little extra care to prepare for winter. With the right steps, you can keep your garden looking neat while setting it up for success next spring.
Here’s your October garden checklist:
1. Clear Fallen Leaves
- Rake lawns, paths, and borders regularly to prevent moss and rot.
- Shred leaves and add them to the compost heap or store them for leaf mould.
2. Plant Spring Bulbs
- Tulips, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths go in now for stunning displays next spring.
- Plant at least three times the depth of the bulb for best results.
3. Prepare the Lawn for Winter
- Give one last mow on a high setting.
- Apply an autumn lawn feed for root strength.
- Rake out moss and aerate compacted areas.
4. Cut Back and Tidy Borders
- Remove dead stems and annuals past their best.
- Mulch perennials to protect roots from frost.
- Lift tender plants like dahlias and store tubers.
5. Help Wildlife
- Leave seed heads for birds.
- Build a log pile or compost heap for hedgehogs and insects.
- Top up bird feeders with high-energy food.
Final Thought: October is about balance — tidying the garden while leaving some areas wild for nature.
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