Flower Garden Checklist for October

Flower Garden Checklist for October

10 Tips and tricks to keep your garden happy and healthy this October

Flowers in the Garden

1. Lift Dahlia and Begonia tubers.

     Lift Dahlia tuber, Begonia tubers and Gladiolus corms to store dry over the winter months. Remove the dead foliage before storing them.

     Plant daffodil bulbs, tulip bulbs and Allium bulbs for a glorious spring display. Dot them through borders or naturalise them in grass.

2. Plant bareroot ornamental trees and shrubs. 

3. Plant out perennials and biennials sown this year.

4. Plant spring bedding such as Primulas and winter pansies for a fantastic spring display.

5. This month is an ideal time to move trees and shrubs, and plant hedges.

6. Prune Climbing Roses.

     Prune climbing roses and rambling roses once they've finished flowering and tie in the stems before autumn winds cause damage.

     Clear up fallen rose leaves to prevent diseases such as black spot from over-wintering - don't compost the leaves.

7. Clear overhanging plants away from pathways to maintain access routes throughout the garden.

8. Cut back perennial plants that have died down or alternatively leave the dead foliage in place for over-wintering wildlife.

9. Lift and divide any overcrowded herbaceous perennials whilst the soil is still warm.

10. After tidying borders, mulch with bark chips, well rotted manure, leaf mould or spent mushroom compost to insulate plant roots for the winter and keep weed growth in check.