Top tips for gardening in October 

Bulb planting

September and October are the main bulb planting months, with the exception of tulips that prefer to be planted later when the heat has gone out of the soil – so buy now when our selection is vast, and leave planting of your Tulips until next month.

As well as planting bulbs in your own garden, they make great gifts. We have a super selection for those friends and relatives that enjoy growing.

Dahlias

Dahlias will continue flowering until the first frosts. There is no need to continue with feeding, but the tubers will continue to mature underground and should not be lifted until after the top growth has died down.

Pansies

Plant your winter flowering pansies to replace your summer bedding. They are great at providing colour all winter long. We have a vast variety of colour shades and don’t forget to add some fish, blood and bone fertiliser when planting – it certainly will be worthwhile for your display.

Fruit picking

When picking fruit, such as apples, treat them as if they were fragile eggs. Damaged or bruised fruit will not keep. Cup them in the palm of your hand rather than using the tips of your fingers – it is easy to puncture the skin with long fingernails. A good investment if your fruit tree is hard to reach that will prevent unnecessary bruising is a long-handled fruit picker. We have a good selection to suit your requirement in our tool section.

Shrubs

The end of the summer is a good time for planting shrubs, the soil is warm and plants will establish rapidly. Make sure the root ball is thoroughly watered before planting and do continue with watering until the plant is established, especially this year when Mother Nature needs a hand!

Fertiliser

Bone meal is an ideal fertiliser when gardening in October. A handful mixed well with compost in the planting hole is ideal and will help while the plant is getting established as it is great at promoting root growth.

Herbaceous borders

Herbaceous borders should receive your attention this month. Most herbaceous perennials need dividing every three to five years to retain their vigour. The best method is to carefully lift the plant and chop through the centre of the clump using either a spade or with two forks back to back. Select healthy vigorous sections to replant in your chosen spot. The soil does need to be moist and the newly divided clump needs to be kept watered. Late flowering varieties and grasses are best divided in spring.

Contact our friendly team

Browse our range of plants, tools and accessories at our St. Albans based garden centre – all perfect for gardening in October.

For more information, contact our friendly team on 01727 822255 or email us on info@aylettnurseries.co.uk.