What to Grow in October: Overwintering, Succession Planting & Indoor Crops

As autumn settles in, October is a transitional month in the garden. While the summer crops are winding down, it’s far from the end of the gardening year. In fact, this is a prime time to prepare for early spring harvests, extend the growing season, and even start a few crops indoors. With the right approach and a little help from sustainable tools like Hortiwool Garden Pads your garden can stay productive right through the colder months.

In this guide, we’ll look at what to plant now for overwintering, how to make the most of succession planting, and how using wool in the garden can give plants extra protection. Plus, we’ll share a few other gardening jobs that help create the perfect autumn garden.

Overwintering Crops: What to Plant Now for Early Spring Harvests

October is the perfect time to think ahead. Many hardy crops thrive when sown or planted now, establishing roots before winter and then springing into growth once the weather warms.

Good overwintering choices include:

• Garlic: Plant cloves directly into well-prepared soil. They need the winter chill to split properly into bulbs.

• Onions and Shallots: Autumn-planting sets will root now and be ready to harvest by early summer.

• Broad Beans: Varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ are excellent for autumn sowing, giving you a head start on spring harvests.

• Spinach and Winter Lettuce: Hardy varieties cope well under cloches or fleece and reward you with fresh leaves even in the cold months.

Using wool in the garden can be especially valuable for overwintering crops. Placing Hortiwool Garden Pads around the base of garlic or onions provides insulation for young roots, suppresses weeds, and helps retain soil moisture. As they naturally compost, they also add organic matter back into the soil. A win-win for sustainable gardening.

Succession Planting & Extending the Season

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean fresh harvests have to stop. Succession planting, making smaller, staggered sowings, keeps crops coming for longer.

In October, you can still sow quick-growing salad leaves such as rocket, mizuna, lamb’s lettuce, and radishes, particularly under cloches, in cold frames, or indoors. Baby spinach leaves are also a great choice for autumn sowing.

To extend the season further, consider using fleece, cloches, or polytunnels to provide a warmer microclimate. By adding Hortiwool Garden Pads to pots or raised beds, you can provide an extra layer of insulation for soil and root systems, helping tender plants hold on for longer before the first frosts arrive.

Microgreens & Sprouts to Grow Indoors in October

As outdoor sowing becomes limited, October is the ideal month to turn to indoor growing projects. Microgreens and sprouts are quick, space-efficient, nutritious and they thrive on a windowsill.

Great options for October include:

• Pea shoots – fresh and sweet, ready to harvest in just a couple of weeks.

• Mustard and cress – classic choices for a peppery kick.

• Radish sprouts – spicy and crunchy, perfect for salads.

• Sunflower shoots – nutty and rich in protein.

All you need is a shallow tray, some compost, and a bright windowsill. This is a brilliant way to keep fresh greens in your diet while the garden rests.

If you want to boost germination and retain even moisture, try cutting and placing a piece of Hortiwool Garden Pad at the bottom of your tray as a natural liner. The wool helps hold water evenly and reduces the risk of seedlings drying out too quickly.

Other Gardening Jobs in October

Aside from planting, October is also a month for maintenance and preparation. Key steps in creating the perfect autumn garden.

• Clear spent crops: Remove any dying plants to reduce the risk of pests and diseases overwintering in your soil.

• Compost and mulch: Spread a layer of organic matter, such as compost, well-rotted manure, or even shredded wool fibres, to feed your beds over winter.

• Protect tender plants: Move pots closer to the house or into a greenhouse, and insulate containers with wool or hessian.

• Plant spring bulbs: Daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths planted now will reward you with colour in early spring.

• Tidy up the greenhouse: Wash panes, sweep floors, and check for pests before closing things up for winter.

• Lawn care: Rake up leaves, aerate compacted areas, and consider applying an autumn lawn feed.

Throughout these tasks, using wool in the garden — whether as mulch, insulation, or compost material — is a simple and sustainable way to work with nature and keep your outdoor spaces healthy.

Gardening in October is about balance: tidying up the remains of summer, preparing for spring, and finding clever ways to keep the harvests coming. Whether you’re sowing overwintering crops, extending the season with cloches, or experimenting with indoor microgreens, October offers plenty of opportunities to stay connected to your garden.

With a little planning and some help from Hortiwool Garden Pads you can keep your garden thriving well into the colder months, while also setting yourself up for success next spring.