In October there is still time to harvest lots of fruits and vegetables. While the first plants are being prepared for overwintering, there are still opportunities to sow vegetables. This means that the supply of fresh greenery from your own garden is guaranteed even in winter.
What are the most important gardening tasks in October?
The following gardening tasks need to be done in October: sowing winter vegetables in the cold frame or greenhouse; harvesting late summer vegetables, potatoes, fruits and berries; Planting woody plants and perennials; Propagate by cuttings and dividing perennials; Cutting evergreen trees and hedges; other tasks such as digging up frost-sensitive bulbs and tubers, preparing plants for winter and taking frost protection measures.
Summary
Harvesting and cleaning up are the most important tasks in the golden autumn month of October. In addition, the most important gardening tasks in October include:
- Sowing: Winter vegetables such as winter lettuce, late varieties of spinach, lamb's lettuce, lamb's lettuce or winter peas can be sown in the cold frame or greenhouse.
- Harvesting: Before the first frost, the last summer vegetables and late potato varieties as well as fruit such as apples, pears and berries must be harvested. However, some types of fruit and vegetables need frost, such as Brussels sprouts or sloes.
- Plants: Towards the end of October, when the leaves have fallen, the planting time begins for most trees and spring and summer flowering perennials.
- Propagate: In October you can cut cuttings or divide perennials.
- Cutting: Now is the right time to cut especially evergreen trees and hedges.
- More gardening tasks: Get dahlias and other frost-sensitive bulbs and tubers out of the ground. Plants that are not hardy must be moved to winter quarters or provided with frost protection.
Sowing in October
- Sowing outdoors: Garlic, later spinach, winter lettuce as well as lawn and ornamental grasses
- Sowing in the greenhouse: Lamb's lettuce, winter purslane, winter purslane, late varieties of broccoli and kohlrabi, garden cress, radish, winter peas
- Sowing in the windowsill: Garden cress and other herbs, microgreens (e.g. broccoli, kale), sprouts (e.g. alfalfa)
Harvests in October
A variety of vegetables and fruits are harvested in October: endive, sugar loaf lettuce, lettuce, fennel, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, savoy cabbage, white and red cabbage, salsify, carrots, beetroot, celery, radishes and radishes are now ready for harvest. When the weather is warm, the last of the zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers and tomatoes ripen. The sensitive southerners must be brought into the house before the first night of frost, although you can also harvest tomatoes green and let them ripen in the pantry. The last large zucchini can usually be stored for weeks. At the beginning of October at the latest, dig up the last late potato varieties on a dry day.
Harvesting and storing winter vegetables
Winter vegetables such as carrots, celery, beetroot and root parsley can be left outside until the first hard night frosts. Only then do you take them into the storage cellar, where they are best kept wrapped in moist sand. Some vegetables, such as broccoli and sugarloaf lettuce, can tolerate a few degrees of frost and should be left outside as long as possible. However, some varieties of lamb's lettuce as well as Brussels sprouts, kale and salsify are completely hardy. Only in very harsh winters do you need to protect the winter cabbage with a brushwood cover. Salsify and Jerusalem artichokes can be left outdoors for longer if you protect the soil from frost with a thick layer of straw. This way the root vegetables last longer.
Harvesting and storing fruit
Many varieties of apples and pears ripen in October. However, only intact fruits without bruises are suitable for storage; they are best stored in wooden boxes in an airy and cool storage cellar. Fallen fruit and injured apples and pears, on the other hand, do not last long; it is best to cook such fruit into puree, jelly or juice. Towards the end of October you will harvest fragrant quinces and nuts. Stored dry and cool, walnuts, chestnuts or hazelnuts can be kept for many months.
Plants that bloom in October
October is a very flowery month, in which numerous late flowering perennials, ornamental trees as well as some tuberous and bulbous plants and also grasses delight us with their colorful splendor. These are usually plants that bloom not only in October, but often for many weeks or even months, well into autumn. If autumn is very mild and sunny, some fruit trees even develop new flowers. However, the blessing of flowers is often over by the first frost at the latest.
- Perennials: Autumn asters such as cushion asters (Aster dumosus), smooth-leaf asters (Aster novi-belgii) or rough-leaf asters (Aster novae-angliae); chrysanthemums; Autumn Monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’); Autumn saxifrage (Saxifraga cortusifolia var. fortunei) as well as numerous perennial bloomers that bloom from summer until well into autumn, such as autumn anemones, silver candles (especially the various varieties of the September silver candle Actaea simplex), waterbush (Eupatorium fistulosum) and others.
- Ornamental trees: some Abelia varieties (e.g. Abelia grandiflora 'Confetti', 'Conti', 'Sunshine Daydream'; some varieties of Beardflower (e.g. E.g. 'Grand Bleu', 'Petit Bleu', 'Summer Sorbet'); some types of scented flowers (e.g. sweet scented flower Osmanthus fragrans, prickly-leaved scented flower Osmanthus heterophyllus); fuchsias; Seven Sons of Heaven shrub, cultivar 'Tianshan' (Heptacodium miconioides 'Tianshan'); Chinese Mahonia (Mahonia eurybracteata);
- Bulb and bulb plants: Autumn crocus (Colchicum); Autumn crocuses such as magnificent autumn crocus 'Crocus speciosus' and saffron crocus 'Crocus sativus'; Autumn Goldcup (Sternbergia); Cyclamen (Cyclamen)
Planting and propagating in October
However, October is not just about harvesting and cleaning up, but also about preparing for the next season. Now is the right time to plant or propagate many hardy crops and ornamental plants in the bed.
Planting and transplanting
- Planting herbs: As long as the weather is good, most perennial herbs can be planted in October. Sage, hyssop, wormwood, mugwort, rue, boar's rue and lovage are particularly suitable for autumn planting.
- Planting time for fruit trees: October is the ideal time to plant new apple, pear, cherry and plum trees. The month is also favorable for currants, gooseberries, jostaberries and raspberries.
- Perennials and flowers: In October you can still plant many perennials in the bed, especially the species that bloom in spring and summer. The autumn month is also favorable for most grasses with the exception of pampas grass. If you haven't planted out your early biennial summer flowers yet, now is the time.
- Flower bulbs: The bulbs of all spring bloomers also belong in the ground in October. Snowdrops, March cups, crocuses, grape hyacinths, winter aconites, scilla as well as tulips and daffodils should be planted in dense groups.
- Deciduous and climbing trees: The planting time for roses, ornamental trees and climbing plants only begins towards the end of October. All young trees are cut back at this time, watered well and protected with a thick layer of mulch.
Plant propagation
- Share herbs: Some perennial herbs are ideally propagated in October. Chives, oregano, tarragon, lemon balm, peppermint, sorrel and winter hedge onions are suitable for propagation by division or by separating root runners.
- Dividing perennials: Older perennials can be easily propagated by division. The best time for this is October, as the plants now have enough time to root again.
- Cutting cuttings: You should no longer cut cuttings in October, but cuttings - for which you can use clippings from cutting hedges and other trees - are suitable autumn is very good. The wood, which is around 15 to 20 centimeters long, is completely stripped of its leaves and simply stuck into the ground in the direction of growth. There should be an eye at the top and bottom of each piece of wood. Many ornamental shrubs such as forsythia, viburnum, weigela, deutzia, mother-of-pearl, elderberry, buddleia or jasmine are very suitable for propagation using cuttings.
Cutting in October
October is also a good time to care for and tidy up the garden. The most important care measures include cutting trees, perennials and other plants. In this section we have summarized for you which plants it makes sense to prune in autumn.
- Ornamental trees: Ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees (both deciduous and coniferous) and hedges may be cut again from October 1st. In particular, flowering shrubs such as weigela and buddleia, ornamental trees such as the globe maple, conifers such as thuja and hedge shrubs such as boxwood, laurel cherry and firethorn can now tolerate pruning.
- Fruit trees: Many berry bushes - for example currants, blackberries and gooseberries - can also be cut in October. After the harvest and when the leaves have fallen, you can also prune apple and pear trees.
- Herbs: It is better not to cut herbs back in autumn as they need their stems for winter protection.
- Perennials: Most perennials are cut back in October, you should only leave a few evergreen species (e.g. golden strawberry (Waldsteinia) and candytuft (Iberis)) standing. You should leave these standing, especially for aesthetic reasons, so that the beds don't appear too bare.
- Grasses: The same rule applies to grasses as to herbs; under no circumstances should you cut them in autumn! Even dry stalks are only cut off in spring, as they serve as winter protection for the plants.
- Ground cover: Many ground cover plants tend to overgrow and should therefore be cut back regularly. The rule applies that deciduous species are pruned in October and evergreen species in spring.
- Climbing plants: Some climbing and climbing plants can also be cut back in October. These include wisteria (wisteria), honeysuckle and clematis.
Plant diseases and pests in October
Not only the plants, but also many pests and pathogens are now gradually going into hibernation. Most pathogens and insect pests overwinter near or directly on their food plants. With appropriate care measures such as
- Lime paint for fruit trees
- Glue rings for fruit trees
- Raking away leaves infected with fungal spores
- Pruning back diseased trees and perennials
- Disposing of contaminated clippings with household waste
Prevent possible infestation in the coming year. Also pay attention to the appearance of larger pests such as rats, mice and voles, as they do not hibernate and are more active in autumn.
More gardening work in October
Soil preparation
The beds that still have winter vegetables and lettuce are chopped through again, cleared of weeds and mulched. Do not leave any residue on the harvested beds - unless you have previously sown green manure and are now digging it under. Loosen the soil and then rake the surface smooth. This will prevent snails, which are now looking for their winter quarters, from finding shelter. Only heavy, clayey soils are dug up coarsely every few years before winter so that the clayey soil can freeze and crumble. Now plan the beds for next year and, in preparation, add compost or manure to rot.
Frost protection
Now generally provide winter-hardy but somewhat sensitive garden plants with sufficient frost protection. For example, cut back the roses and then pile them up. Some exotic shrubs or perennials - for example hardy banana plants - also need winter protection in the form of frost protection fleece or similar.
Wintering
When the first frost has destroyed the leaves and flowers of the dahlias, dig up the fleshy tubers. After the stems have been cut off, they are planted in moist sand in the cellar. Before October ends, also get your gladioli, freesias, peacock lilies and tuberous begonias out of the ground. These bulbs and tubers are overwintered dry.
Feeding and nesting boxes
Clean empty nest boxes. Hang bird and squirrel feeders in suitable places - cats and martens should not be able to reach them - and refill them regularly.
Lawn Care
The lawn will be mowed for the last time in October, but not too short! Remove leaves from the lawn to prevent mold and moss from forming. Also apply autumn fertilization containing potassium.
Plant protection
Attach glue rings to the fruit trees if necessary. Coat the tree trunks with a coat of lime and remove any remaining fruit and fruit mummies. These should be disposed of and never thrown into the compost.
Leaves
Leave the leaves under the trees. This rots there and supplies the plants with important nutrients, and the layer of leaves also serves as frost protection. Pile up brushwood in quiet corners. Not only the hedgehog, but also many other useful animals are now looking for their winter quarters. If they find it in the garden, they will go looking for food right there next spring, preferring to eat snails and other pests.
Balcony and potted plants
Before it freezes for the first time, all sensitive balcony and potted plants must be moved to safe, frost-free winter quarters. Frost-sensitive potted herbs such as lemon verbena, pineapple sage, rosemary, scented geraniums and basil also belong in the house or greenhouse well before the first night of frost. Almost all of these plants need a cool, but frost-free and bright place in winter.
FAQ
What gardening work needs to be done in October?
October is all about harvesting late and winter vegetables, pruning and tidying up the garden and greenhouse. You can sow or plant some winter vegetables in the greenhouse and cold frame, for example winter purslane or autumn spinach.
What is sown in October?
Basically nothing is sown in the fall. However, you can still stick a few cloves of garlic in the ground and sow fast-growing autumn vegetables such as spinach, purslane, lamb's lettuce, lamb's lettuce and winter peas in protected places until the beginning of October. Cold germs that are supposed to sprout in spring can also be sown now.
What to plant in October?
October is the right time to plant fruit trees, deciduous trees, ornamental shrubs, climbing and climbing plants and perennials. Onion plants that bloom in spring should also be planted in the bed now.
What will be cut back in October?
Most perennials are cut back in October. Ornamental and some fruit trees, conifers and hedge bushes as well as climbing plants and deciduous ground cover can now also be cut.
Which plants can be propagated in October?
Early autumn is not only ideal for planting or replanting many hardy plants. For example, many perennials can be divided and propagated. Cuttings are also produced when trees are pruned, which can be used for propagation in the form of cuttings.
