Gardening tips for October

 

October often has two faces. Sometimes it's still warm and friendly as a golden October, sometimes it's harsh and cold with the first frosts. However the tenth month of the year may develop: In our gardening tips for October, we explain what you should do in your autumnal oasis to optimally prepare the garden for winter and also for the new season next year.

Contents

• Checklist for gardening in October
• Planting bulb flowers
• Autumn planting: Roses, perennials & Fruit trees
• Protect potted plants from frost
• Mulk beds
• Turn compost
• Leaves: Remove or leave?

Gardening checklist for October

• Plant bulbs of early bloomers
• Make potted plants frost-resistant
• Mulk beds to protect against frost
• Turn compost
• Roses, perennials & Planting Fruit Trees

Planting Bulbs

If temperatures allow – meaning it's not yet freezing – you can still use October to plant bulbs of spring flowers. These include tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and snowdrops.

Autumn Planting: Roses, Perennials & Fruit Trees

October is the ideal time to plant roses, perennials, fruit trees, and shrubs. The soil is usually still warm enough for the plants to take root.

Protecting Potted Plants from Frost

Sensitive potted plants can be moved to their winter quarters in October. If they are to overwinter on the patio or balcony, protect the plants with fleece or burlap. A layer of leaves in the pot also protects the roots from excessive cold.

You can cover sensitive potted plants with fleece and burlap in October. Image source: stock.adobe.com, Tanja Esser

Mulch your flower beds

Apply mulch to your flower beds. Mulch protects the soil from severe frost and also helps retain moisture in the soil. The following materials are suitable for mulching: Bark mulch: One of the most common types of mulch. Bark mulch helps retain soil moisture and also has a decorative appeal. Straw: Particularly popular in vegetable gardens because it is lightweight and provides good insulation. However, make sure the straw is seed-free to prevent weed growth. Compost: Mature compost can be used wonderfully as mulch. Compost provides additional nutrients for the soil. It promotes soil fertility and the activity of soil organisms. Grass clippings: If you mow your lawn again in October, you can spread the clippings in a thin layer on your beds. Important: Use sparingly, as too thick a layer can lead to rot. Leaves: Shredded leaves make excellent mulch. A thin layer of leaves is rich in minerals and improves soil structure as it slowly decomposes. Mulch protects beds from severe frost and retains moisture. Bark mulch is ideal. pixabay.com, manfredrichter

Turning Compost

If you have compost in your garden, you can turn it at the end of October so it can continue to mature over the winter. Here's how:

Insert a compost fork deep into the compost and loosen it thoroughly. This adds oxygen, which promotes the decomposition process.

Lift the loosened compost in portions onto a sieve. The finished compost will fall through the sieve and can be used directly. The coarser material that remains on the sieve is turned over.

Check the moisture content of the compost. It should be moist, but not wet. If it's too dry, you can simply water it with a watering can.

Cover the turned compost with a tarp or leaves to retain moisture and maintain the temperature.

You can turn your compost in October so it can continue to mature over the winter. pixabay.com, Antranias

Leaves: Remove or leave?

Many garden owners struggle with the decision of whether or not to remove leaves from their lawns. Arguments for removal include the fact that leaves block sunlight, preventing it from reaching the grass. This can lead to stunted growth. Furthermore, damp leaves promote the growth of fungi and pathogens. Arguments for leaving leaves include the fact that the decomposing leaves provide valuable nutrients to the lawn and soil – a natural fertilizer. Additionally, the leaves offer shelter and food for small animals and insects, thus promoting biodiversity in your garden.

Tip: If in doubt, don't remove all the leaves; instead, leave a thin layer on the lawn. Larger piles of leaves can be created in corners of the garden. Garden creatures like hedgehogs also appreciate this.

Leaves on the lawn have advantages and disadvantages. It's best to leave a thin layer. pixabay.com, katerinavulcova