Gardening Calendar 2nd Week In October
October is a transitional month in the garden, where tasks focus on preparing for winter while looking forward to the breath-taking autumn colours. With cooler temperatures, it’s the perfect time to renovate lawns, tidy up perennials, and plant spring bulbs for next year’s bloom. Harvesting and storing apples, pears, and other fruits becomes a key activity, ensuring a lasting supply of produce through the colder months. As you tackle these tasks, the garden rewards your efforts with a beautiful display of vibrant foliage, making this month one of the most visually stunning times of the year.
Prepare for winter while enjoying the brilliant colours that October brings!
Gardening Task for the second week of October, with additional information on picking, storing, and preserving autumn fruits like apples, pears, and cherries:
1. Lawn Care
- Renovate your lawn by raking dead material, spiking the soil, overseeding bare patches, and applying autumn feed. Keep the seeds damp for about 14 days to establish new growth before winter. Guide on autumn lawn renovation
2. Compost Fallen Leaves
- Rake up fallen leaves and add them to your compost. Mix in lime and fertiliser to help decomposition, especially for slower-decomposing leaves like oak and beech. Learn about composting autumn leaves
3. Plant Spring Bulbs
- Plant bulbs like tulips and daffodils at twice their height in well-draining soil. Consider using horticultural grit and protect them with chicken wire to prevent pest damage. How to plant spring bulbs
4. Hedge Trimming Before Frost
- Trim hedges before frost sets in to reduce stress on the plants. Use sharp tools to shape the sides and remove dead branches. Guide to hedge trimming
5. Tidy Up Perennials
- Cut back perennials that have died back, but leave some stems to support wildlife through the winter.
- Autumn tidy-up tips
6. Grow Winter Lettuce and Vegetables
- Sow cold-resistant varieties like Winter Butterhead lettuce and Perpetual Spinach. Other hardy crops include Rainbow Chard, Wok Broc, and winter radishes. How to grow winter salads
7. Pick, Store, and Preserve Autumn Fruits (Apples, Pears, Cherries)
- Picking: Apples and pears are best picked when they detach easily with a slight twist. Check sun-exposed areas first, as fruits here ripen faster.
- Storing: Store only unblemished apples and pears in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space. Use newspaper to prevent fruits from touching and avoid storing them near potatoes, as they release ethylene gas that speeds up ripening.
- Preserving: Apples that aren’t suitable for storage can be used immediately for pies, applesauce, or juice. Similarly, cherries and pears can be pickled or turned into preserves to extend their shelf life. More on storing apples and pears
This calendar ensures you make the most of your autumn harvest while preparing your garden for the colder months!
