What to Grow in October: A Guide for UK Gardeners
As October rolls in, the cool autumn air brings with it the final opportunities to prepare your garden for winter. Although the growing season is winding down, this month remains crucial for planting crops that will thrive in the colder months and lay the groundwork for a successful spring. Whether you’re extending your harvest, protecting your garden from frost, or planting spring bulbs, October is an exciting and productive time for UK gardeners. Here’s what you can sow, plant, and do in your garden this October.
Vegetables to Sow in October
Despite cooler temperatures, there are still a few hardy vegetables you can sow in October, setting the stage for early spring growth and harvests.
1. Broad Beans
Varieties: Aquadulce Claudia, Super Aquadulce
Tips: Sow seeds directly into the ground, spacing them 20cm apart and 5cm deep in well-drained soil. These beans establish roots before winter and give you an early spring harvest.
2. Peas
Varieties: Douce Provence, Feltham First
Tips: October sowing in a sheltered spot gives peas the jump-start they need to produce in early spring. Ensure soil is well-drained to prevent seeds from rotting - try laying Hortiwool over the soil for a slow moisture release into the soil.
3. Garlic
Varieties: Carcassonne Wight, Germidour
Tips: October is perfect for garlic planting. Separate cloves and plant 2.5cm deep and 10-15cm apart. Cold weather helps the bulbs develop larger and stronger.
4. Onions
Varieties: Radar, Senshyu Yellow
Tips: Plant onion sets 10cm apart, with tips just below the soil. These will overwinter and mature by early next summer.
Vegetables to Plant/Transplant in October
October offers ideal conditions to plant crops that will establish themselves over winter, ready to thrive in the spring.
1. Winter Lettuce
Varieties: Arctic King, Winter Gem
Tips: Transplant into cold frames or sheltered spots. Hardy winter lettuces can provide fresh greens throughout the colder months.
2. Spring Cabbages
Varieties: Durham Early, April
Tips: Transplant seedlings into well-prepared soil, spacing them 30-45cm apart. Protect with netting and Hortiwool Garden Pads to ward off pigeons and frost.
3. Asparagus
Tips: October is the perfect time to plant asparagus crowns. Dig trenches 20-30cm deep in a sunny, well-drained spot and space crowns 30cm apart.
Herbs to Sow in October
Although most herbs prefer spring planting, a few varieties can be sown in October to provide fresh flavours come early spring.
1. Chives
Tips: Hardy and winter-resistant, chives can be sown directly in pots or the ground. They’ll spring to life with fresh, onion-flavoured shoots once the weather warms.
2. Coriander
Varieties: Confetti, Leisure
Tips: Sow in sheltered spots or indoors. Coriander enjoys the cool temperatures of autumn, and October sowing ensures slower growth without bolting.
Flowers to Sow in October
This month is ideal for planting hardy annuals and bulbs, ensuring a colourful start to spring.
1. Daffodils
Varieties: King Alfred, February Gold
Tips: Plant bulbs 10-15cm deep in sunny or partially shaded spots. Daffodils thrive in well-drained soil and offer a cheerful spring display.
2. Tulips
Varieties: Queen of Night, Apeldoorn
Tips: Begin planting in late October. Place bulbs 15-20cm deep in well-drained soil. Deep planting helps protect against frost and ensures better growth.
3. Sweet Williams
Varieties: Auricula Eyed, Scarlet Beauty
Tips: These biennials will bloom next summer, adding rich colour and fragrance to your garden. Sow in pots or directly in the garden, and cover lightly with soil.
General Tips for October Gardening
- Tidy Up: Clear away dead plant material to prevent pests from overwintering. Compost healthy remains and dispose of diseased plants.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the soil as the temperature drops.
- Frost Protection: Bring tender plants indoors or into greenhouses. Use cloches, or Hortiwool Garden Pads to protect others from frost.
- Harvesting: Continue harvesting late crops like leeks, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. Lift any root vegetables before the first hard frost.
- Spring Bulbs: Plant daffodils, crocuses, tulips, and other spring bulbs now for a stunning display when the warmer weather returns.
October may mark the end of summer’s bounty, but it’s also a time of preparation and opportunity. By taking care of your garden now, you’ll ensure a healthy, productive start to the new growing season in the spring.
So wrap up warm, enjoy the beautiful autumn colours, and get gardening! Shop our range of Hortiwool Garden Pads and get free shipping on 3 or more pouches!