The weather in October is often changeable – sometimes cool and wet or with occasional high temperatures; but during fine spells work in the garden continues.
Key tasks are tidying ornamental borders, preparing new beds and planting. Leaves are beginning to fall in larger amounts – these can be composted but take a long time to fully rot down (two years) and so a separate bin or heap is needed or incorporate very small amounts over months into the main compost bin.
With the autumn equinox now passed this signals a significant change in light levels – the nights are now longer than the days and plants respond by mostly slowing or stopping growth.
Flowers in the garden are either left from ornamental summer borders such as Salvia Amistad or are later flowering autumn perennials – usually Sedum and Dahlias; the Michaelmas daisy manages to flower on through October whatever the weather does.
Most colour will be seen in the leaves (although many trees are late turning) and bright berries on Pyracantha, Cotoneaster and Holly (late autumn to mid-winter).
Window box and container displays are a pleasure to plan at any time of the year and in the autumn the emphasis is on an evergreen mix – dwarf conifers and shrubs such as the smaller Hebes plus ivies to give a backdrop to Pansies, Cyclamen or Viola.
Herbs can also be used as the evergreen component – try Lavender Munstead, trailing Rosemary ‘Prostratus’ also the Thymes, most of which are compact and low growing. Other plants to consider for window boxes and containers at this time are heathers and dwarf varieties of spring flowering bulbs such as Narcissus bulbocodium ‘White Petticoat’ or the scented Narcissus ‘Minnow’. Iris ‘Harmony’ (Reticulata) with deep blue scented flowers grows in pots – inside and outdoors.
Spring flowering bulbs that can be planted outside in October are Puschkinia, an unusual plant that has attractive pale blue flowers with a darker blue line through the petals (it is related to the bluebell). Star of Bethlehem, the dwarf variety has white petals striped with green and usually flowers from April to May. The highly fragrant Lily of the Valley can be planted out anytime from now until February/March, but the earlier it is put in the more likely it is to become established. And finally, the Spring Starflower would be a welcome sight in April – with its blue, fragrant blooms; it also goes by the name of Ipheion or Flower of the Incas.
If there are dead patches on your grass and repairs are required, new turf can be laid during autumn. This is not complicated but needs to be done carefully – consult a gardening book – or there are YouTube videos that show how this is done.