Gardening Jobs for October: Autumn Colours & Winter Prep
October in the garden has a special kind of magic, I honestly love the changing of the seasons, especially when this year has been so hot and dry, don’t get me wrong, I love working in my customers gardens in Summer, I love to get a tan, but even I have my limits and so enjoy the cooler months. The late-summer glow fades into rich autumnal hues, leaves crunch underfoot, and the days grow shorter. It’s a month for tidying, planting, and preparing — ensuring your garden is both beautiful and resilient as winter approaches. There’s still colour to enjoy, vegetables to harvest, and important jobs to keep your plants healthy through the colder months.
Lawns in October: Care Before Winter
Grass growth slows in October, but your lawn still needs attention. Keep mowing regularly, raising the blades slightly to leave the grass longer. This helps the lawn cope with cooler nights and reduces stress on the roots.
If your lawn has been affected by summer heat or wear and tear, October is a good time for light scarifying and overseeding. A raking to remove moss or dead material can improve air circulation and allow new grass to establish. If you didn’t feed the lawn last month you can do so now with an Autumn feed, we use a fertiliser with a nutrient breakdown of 10-5-10 NPK, which will strengthen and green up your lawn without promoting a soft, disease-prone growth. This will also help Red Thread prevention!
Leaves may be falling onto your lawn, rake these off regularly as they will rot and leave patches for weed seeds to germinate, this is an extremely important job in lawn care, don’t neglect this!
“A strong, healthy lawn going into winter will reward you with a greener, spring-ready sward.”
Deep watering may still be necessary if rainfall is low, but avoid overwatering — grass that is too wet can encourage disease.
Borders and Flower Beds: Autumn Maintenance
October is the time to tidy beds and borders. Remove faded summer bedding, pull out spent annuals, and compost them. Deadhead lingering blooms like late roses and chrysanthemums to prolong flowering where possible.
Perennials that have finished for the season can be cut back lightly. Leave some seed heads and taller stems where wildlife might benefit; birds will enjoy the seeds, and the garden retains winter structure. Clear away any debris or diseased leaves to reduce mildew and pests, giving your plants a clean slate for spring growth.
Planting autumn bulbs like tulips or early daffodils can also begin now. Planting in October ensures the bulbs develop strong roots before the ground freezes, giving you a spectacular display in spring.
“Tidying now not only keeps your garden looking cared-for but prepares it to burst back into life next year.”
Containers and Pots: Colourful Autumn Displays
Your containers can continue to brighten the garden even as the weather cools. Replace summer bedding with hardy autumn options such as pansies, violas, cyclamen, and heather. These plants will cope with frosts and keep your garden colourful through October and into early winter.
Keep an eye on pests like slugs and snails — they may still be active, especially after wet weather. Eco-friendly solutions like beer traps work well, or you can carefully hand-pick them.
“Autumn containers give your garden a splash of colour when borders start to fade.”
Harvesting and Vegetable Patch Care
October is a busy month in the vegetable patch. Many late-season crops, such as leeks, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and root vegetables, are ready to pick. Harvest apples, pears, and any remaining summer fruit before the first frosts hit. Remember, some fruits like pears continue ripening off the tree, so pick them carefully and allow them to mature indoors.
Once beds are cleared, enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. This not only replenishes nutrients but also improves soil structure for next year’s crops. Covering beds with a light mulch can protect the soil and retain moisture through the colder months.
“A productive October harvest rewards your summer efforts and sets the garden up for winter.”
Preparing for Winter: Protecting Your Garden
October is the ideal month to prepare for the colder months. Tender plants can be moved under cover or protected with fleece. Check pots for drainage, as waterlogged containers are vulnerable to frost damage. Evergreen hedges and shrubs can be given a light trim to tidy them before growth slows completely.
Take time to plan ahead: note any gaps in borders, order spring bulbs if you haven’t already, and review which perennials may need dividing when the weather cools further. Early preparation ensures your garden transitions smoothly into winter while remaining attractive.
“October is about forward planning — a well-prepared garden weathers winter with ease and blooms brightly in spring.”
Enjoying the Garden in Autumn
Even as the days shorten and temperatures drop, October has much to enjoy. Crisp mornings, vibrant foliage, and the satisfying sense of work completed make this a special time. Take a moment to walk through your garden, admire autumn colours, and breathe in the earthy scents of the season.
“Autumn in the garden is a reminder: preparation now leads to beauty later.”
Remember to pace yourself — garden jobs are important, but so is enjoying the fruits of your labour. Swap hands when raking or digging, stretch before heavy work, and savour the garden’s late-season charm.
Final Thoughts
October is a transitional month — a bridge between summer abundance and winter dormancy. With attention to lawns, borders, containers, and the vegetable patch, you can extend beauty, protect plants, and prepare the garden for winter. Take pride in your efforts, enjoy the harvest, and relish the autumn colours before the colder months arrive.
✨ “Tend, tidy, harvest, and plan — October in the garden is about making the most of every last drop of late-season beauty.”