Garden Notes for October 2025

As we go into the middle of autumn in October, the weather can be very unpredictable.  We might get a ‘St. Luke’s’ summer around the 18th of the month, equally we may get damaging frosts and gales at any time.  So be prepared and start getting in all the tender plants, put the winter chrysthantemums into their quarters.  One thing is for certain, and that is that the days will be drawing in. British Summer Time ends on the last weekend of October (Sunday 26th October) so the plants are gradually going into their winter hibernation.

Autumn is also harvest time for the gardener, although farmers seem to get their harvest in earlier and earlier.  In the garden, all fruit crops should be picked and stored regularly.  With apples and pears the test whether they are ready to pick is to lift the fruit gently with slight pressure on the stalk.  If it comes away easily – it’s ready.  It pays to pick over a tree several times as not all fruit mature at the same time.

Most houseplants will be slowing down their growth.  Water and feed less frequently.  Cacti, in particular, should be kept dry and frost-free during the winter.

Plant out wallflowers, polyanthus, sweet williams, foxgloves and other similar biennials for a good display in the spring.

Once the ground has been cleared it is a good idea to break it up.  If you have heavy clay (as most of us do round here) the best way is to use a spade and to leave it with large clods that will break down over the winter with weathering.  If you break the soil down too much at this time of year, it will just become a ‘pudding’ and you will have to start all over again in the spring.

After the first frosts have browned off the tops of dahlias, cut them down to within 12 cm (9”) of ground level.  Mark the variety with a label, and lift the tubers so that they can be dried under cover and then stored in a frost-free place for the winter.

If you want early sweet peas, now is the time to start them off.  For best result sow one or two seeds in rooting pots as sweet peas have an exceptionally long tap root.  Germinate the seeds in the greenhouse with gentle, consistent warmth.  Once they have emerged sweet peas can be kept outside in a cold frame, only needing protection from the worst frosts by having a cover over them.

With the arrival of cooler weather and damp soil, bare-root planting season begins. This is an ideal time to add deciduous trees, flowering shrubs, or climbers to the garden while giving them time to establish roots before spring growth kicks in.

Do come to the Horticultural Society AGM on which starts at 7pm with a talk on ‘A lifetime with roses’.  It will be in the Capel Parish Hall and roses will be on sale.

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Garden Notes for September 2025.

Writing just at the start of the month it is good to have rain at last, hopefully the weather will go back to being predictably normal for the rest of the year.

With the nights drawing in and the temperature cooling, there may well be a danger of moulds appearing in many of the bedding plants, especially begonias.  Dead flowers left to rot act as a centre of infection, so keep deadheading.

Daffodils, but not tulips, should be planted up in September.  Try putting some bulbs in a bed especially for cutting in the spring.  Tulip bulbs should be planted in October or even a bit later depending on the variety.

Complete the planting of strawberries in September; otherwise they will not have enough time to establish themselves to build up strong fruiting crowns for next year.  You can plant them in late autumn or spring but if you want good plants, these later planted ones should not be allowed to fruit in their first season.

When picking apples or pears, don’t wrench them off the branch.  Gently push upwards and twist.  If the fruit is ready for picking it will come away easily, if not – leave it for a couple more days.

Continue disbudding chrysanthemums to leave one bud per stem, otherwise let them go to make a spray of much smaller blooms.  Don’t forget to get them in under some protection before the first frosts start.

Ripen off onions and store them when they are completely dry.  Harvest potatoes and keep them in a light proof bag, under cover.

September is the best time to take cuttings of penstemons.  The cuttings should be taken from young, non-flowering shoots as these will root readily in a sandy soil kept in a frame.

Spring cabbage should be planted out now.  It is important to remember to firm well round each plant after planting.  Lettuce can be planted for later cutting.  Good varieties include ‘All the Year Round’ and ‘Winter Density’.

Keep an eye out for tomato blight, and remove any infected leaves.  Towards the end of the month it will be best to clear away the remaining tomatoes as they will not do much more, and the space in the greenhouse will be needed for autumn and winter flowers.

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