As the gardening season begins to wind down in October, there is still plenty of work to be done in the garden. This is a crucial time to gather the last of your harvest, prepare your garden beds for winter, and set the stage for a successful growing season next year. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the essential tasks for October, from harvesting late-season crops to planting for the future, and everything in between.
Harvesting the Last of the Season’s Crops
October is the final opportunity to harvest many late-season vegetables and fruits before the first frosts arrive. Ensuring that your crops are harvested at the right time is crucial to maximizing their flavor, nutrition, and storage potential.
Gathering Late-Season Vegetables
As the days shorten and temperatures drop, many vegetables are reaching their peak and must be harvested before frost damages them. Here are some of the key crops to focus on this month.
Harvesting Beans and Zucchini
By October, your green beans, runner beans, and zucchini (courgettes) will likely be at their last productive stage. Regular harvesting in the earlier months has kept the plants producing, but now it’s time to pick the final crop.
- Beans: Harvest beans while they are still tender and before the pods become tough. Once picked, they can be frozen, dried, or canned for later use.
- Zucchini: Zucchini should be harvested when they are small to medium-sized for the best flavor and texture. Overgrown zucchini can still be used for baking or making relishes.
Bringing in the Pumpkins and Winter Squash
October is the prime time to harvest pumpkins and winter squash, just as they reach their full maturity and develop their characteristic hard rinds.
- Timing the Harvest: Pumpkins and squash are ready to harvest when their skins are hard and they have developed their full color. The stems should also start to dry out.
- Harvesting Tips: Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the squash from the vine, leaving a few inches of stem attached. This helps prevent rot during storage. Cure them in a warm, dry place for a week or two before storing them in a cool, dark location.
Digging Up Root Vegetables
October is also the time to dig up root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. These crops can remain in the ground until the soil begins to freeze, but harvesting them now ensures they are at their peak.
- Potatoes: Gently dig up potatoes with a garden fork, taking care not to damage the tubers. Allow them to dry for a few hours before storing in a cool, dark place.
- Carrots and Parsnips: These can be harvested as needed or pulled up now and stored in sand or peat in a cool cellar.
Harvesting Fruits and Nuts
In addition to vegetables, October is the time to harvest a variety of fruits and nuts that are ready to be picked.
Apples and Pears
By October, many apple and pear varieties are at their prime. Harvesting these fruits at the right time is crucial for their flavor and storage longevity.
- Apple Harvesting: Apples are ready to be picked when they easily detach from the tree with a gentle twist. Store them in a cool, dark place, where they can last for several months.
- Pears: Unlike apples, pears should be harvested before they are fully ripe and allowed to ripen indoors. This prevents them from becoming overripe and mealy.
Harvesting Nuts
If you have nut trees, such as walnuts or hazelnuts, October is the month to gather them before the squirrels beat you to it.
- Walnuts: Walnuts are ready to harvest when the outer husks begin to split. Collect them from the ground or shake the tree gently to dislodge them.
- Hazelnuts: Hazelnuts can be harvested when the nuts turn brown and start to fall from the tree. Dry them thoroughly before storing to prevent mold.
Sowing and Planting for the Future
While much of the focus in October is on harvesting, it’s also an excellent time to sow and plant crops that will give you a head start in the next growing season.
Sowing Broad Beans and Peas
Broad beans and peas are hardy crops that can be sown in October to establish roots before winter, ensuring an early harvest in spring.
Broad Beans
- Varieties: Choose winter-hardy varieties such as ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ for broad beans. These are specifically bred to withstand colder temperatures.
- Sowing Method: Sow the seeds 2 inches deep and 8 inches apart in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Broad beans benefit from a sunny location and well-drained soil.
- Care: Water the seeds well after sowing and cover with fleece or cloches if frost is a concern.
Peas
- Varieties: Look for hardy varieties like ‘Feltham First’ for autumn sowing. These peas will overwinter and start producing pods early in the spring.
- Sowing Method: Sow peas 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart, with rows 12 inches apart. Like broad beans, peas prefer a sunny spot and well-drained soil.
- Protection: Protect young pea plants from frost and birds with netting or a cloche.
Planting Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions are staples in the kitchen and benefit greatly from being planted in October. By planting now, they can establish roots over the winter and be ready for harvest next summer.
Planting Garlic
- Choosing Varieties: Softneck garlic varieties are typically easier to grow and store better, while hardneck varieties offer more complex flavors. ‘Solent Wight’ and ‘Chesnok Red’ are popular choices.
- Planting Depth and Spacing: Break the bulb into individual cloves and plant each clove 2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up. Space the cloves 4-6 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart.
- Care: Mulch the garlic bed to protect the cloves from frost and maintain soil moisture. Keep the bed weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients.
Planting Onions
- Varieties: Choose varieties like ‘Radar’ or ‘Senshyu Yellow’ that are specifically bred for overwintering.
- Planting Method: Plant onion sets about 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart. Ensure that the tip of the set is just visible above the soil surface.
- Aftercare: Water the sets well after planting and apply a layer of mulch to protect them through the winter. Keep an eye on them and remove any that are pushed out of the soil by frost heave.
Planting Spring-Flowering Bulbs
October is the ideal month to plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. By planting now, you’ll ensure a vibrant display of color when spring arrives.
Choosing Bulbs
- Tulips: Tulips add striking color to any spring garden. Choose a variety of early, mid, and late-season tulips to extend the blooming period.
- Daffodils: Daffodils are reliable and easy to grow, providing bright yellow flowers early in the spring. They are also deer-resistant, making them a good choice for gardens in areas with wildlife.
- Crocuses: Crocuses are among the first flowers to bloom in the spring, often pushing through the snow. They are perfect for naturalizing in lawns or borders.
Planting Techniques
- Planting Depth: Bulbs should generally be planted at a depth of two to three times their height. For tulips and daffodils, this usually means a depth of 6-8 inches, while crocuses can be planted 3-4 inches deep.
- Spacing: Space the bulbs according to their size—larger bulbs like tulips should be spaced 4-6 inches apart, while smaller bulbs like crocuses can be planted 2-3 inches apart.
- Care: Water the bulbs after planting to help them settle in, and apply mulch to protect them from frost. Ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent rot.
Planting Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs
October marks the beginning of the bare-root planting season. This is an economical and effective way to plant trees and shrubs, as bare-root plants are generally more affordable and easier to establish than their container-grown counterparts.
Choosing Bare-Root Plants
- Fruit Trees: Apples, pears, and cherries are popular choices for bare-root planting. Look for disease-resistant varieties that are suited to your climate.
- Ornamental Trees and Shrubs: Consider planting ornamental species like roses, hawthorns, or dogwoods to add structure and beauty to your garden.
- Fruit Bushes: Blackcurrants, raspberries, and gooseberries are excellent bare-root options that will provide a bountiful harvest in the years to come.
Planting Techniques
- Site Preparation: Choose a sunny, well-drained location for your bare-root plants. Dig a hole that is wide enough to accommodate the roots without bending them and deep enough so that the plant’s graft union is just above the soil level.
- Planting: Place the plant in the hole, spreading out the roots evenly. Backfill with soil, firming it gently around the roots. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
- Staking: Young trees may need staking to support them while they establish. Use a sturdy stake and tie the tree loosely, allowing some movement to encourage strong root development.
Preparing the Garden for Winter
As the growing season comes to an end, October is the time to prepare your garden for the winter months. Proper preparation will protect your plants, improve your soil, and ensure that your garden is ready to burst into life again in the spring.
Clearing Spent Plants and Weeds
Removing dead and dying plants from your garden beds not only tidies up the space but also helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Clearing Annuals
- Removing Annuals: Pull up annual plants that have finished their lifecycle. If they are healthy, add them to your compost pile. If they show signs of disease, dispose of them to prevent contamination.
- Weeding: Remove any weeds that have taken hold during the growing season. Weeding now will reduce the number of weed seeds that germinate in the spring.
Cutting Back Perennials
- Pruning: Cut back perennials that have finished flowering, leaving about 4-6 inches of stem above the ground. This tidies up the garden and prevents disease.
- Leaving Seedheads: Consider leaving some seedheads, such as those of echinacea and rudbeckia, to provide food for birds and add winter interest to your garden.
Mulching Beds and Borders
Applying a layer of mulch in October provides several benefits, including protecting plants from frost, retaining soil moisture, and suppressing winter weeds.
Choosing Mulch
- Organic Mulch: Use organic materials such as compost, shredded leaves, straw, or bark chips. These materials break down over time, enriching the soil and improving its structure.
- Application: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around your plants, taking care not to bury the crowns. Spread mulch evenly over bare soil to protect it from erosion.
Improving Soil Structure
October is an excellent time to improve the structure and fertility of your garden soil, setting the stage for a successful growing season next year.
Adding Organic Matter
- Composting: Spread a layer of compost over your garden beds to add nutrients and improve soil structure. Compost also helps retain moisture and supports beneficial microorganisms.
- Manure: Well-rotted manure can be added to the soil in the fall, providing a slow release of nutrients over the winter. Avoid using fresh manure, as it can burn plants and introduce weed seeds.
Soil Testing and Amendments
- Soil Testing: Conduct a soil test to determine the pH and nutrient levels of your garden soil. Based on the results, you can add lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it, and apply specific fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies.
- Incorporating Amendments: Work lime, sulfur, or other amendments into the soil in October so they have time to break down and become effective by spring.
Protecting Tender Plants
Tender plants that are not hardy in your region will need extra protection to survive the winter. Taking the time to care for these plants in October will help ensure their survival and health.
Bringing Plants Indoors
- Potted Plants: Bring potted plants indoors or move them to a greenhouse before the first frost. Gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions by bringing them in at night and returning them outside during the day for a few days.
- Houseplants: Clean the leaves and check for pests before bringing houseplants back indoors. Reduce watering as growth slows down in the winter.
Protecting Outdoor Plants
- Frost Protection: Cover tender plants with frost cloths, fleece, or cloches to protect them from early frosts. Remove the coverings during the day to prevent overheating.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of tender perennials to insulate their roots. You can also mound soil around the base of plants like roses for added protection.
Preparing Tools and Equipment for Winter
Before you put your garden tools away for the winter, take some time to clean, sharpen, and store them properly. This will extend the life of your tools and ensure they are ready to use when spring arrives.
Cleaning and Sharpening Tools
- Cleaning: Remove soil and debris from your tools using a wire brush or scraper. Wash them with warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly to prevent rust.
- Sharpening: Use a sharpening stone or file to sharpen the edges of your pruners, shears, and hoes. Sharp tools make cleaner cuts and reduce the risk of damaging plants.
- Oiling: Apply a light coat of oil to metal parts to prevent rust. Linseed oil is ideal for wooden handles to keep them from drying out and cracking.
Storing Tools and Equipment
- Storage: Store your tools in a dry, sheltered place such as a shed or garage. Hang them up or place them on racks to keep them off the ground and reduce the risk of rust.
- Draining Hoses: Drain and store garden hoses to prevent them from freezing and cracking during the winter.
- Mower Maintenance: Clean your lawnmower, sharpen the blades, and drain the fuel if it will be stored over the winter.
Conclusion
October may mark the end of the growing season, but it is also a time of preparation and planning for the future. By focusing on harvesting the last of your crops, sowing and planting for next year, and preparing your garden for winter, you can ensure a smooth transition into the colder months and set the stage for a successful gardening year ahead. With these tasks completed, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your garden is well-prepared for whatever winter may bring, and look forward to the vibrant growth and abundant harvests that will follow in the spring.
