October

Early autumn is upon us and the weather is starting to cool down. The summer bedding is now finished and the colour's have been replaced by berries and fruit. Virginia Creeper should have turned to a vibrant red by now. Sedums, Pyracantha, and Rubeckia are also at there best at the at this time of the year.

The main jobs this month are to clear away the remains of the summer bedding plants, plant bulbs and prepare non-hardy plants for the first frosts. Towards the end of the month keep and eye on any dead leaves in ponds. If you have some netting cover the pond to keep out more leaves.

Order manure and dig it into the garden.

Start browsing through the Rose catalogues and order plants to plant out this winter.

• Hoe weeds in Autumn

• Water all crops where required

• Harvest Onions and bend over the leaves of others to prevent seeding

• Continue to lift potatoes

• Plant later season crops under cover

• Remove Tomato leaves to expose unripe fruit

• Pick and store herbs, collect seeds where possible

Beetroot , Broad Beans (Fava) , Cabbages , Calabrese , Carrots , Chicory , Chinese Cabbage , Jerusalem Artichokes , Kohl Rabi , Lettuce , Peas , Radish , Spring Onions , Turnips

Asparagus , Aubergines (Eggplant) , Beetroot , Brussels Sprouts , Cabbages , Calabrese , Carrots , Chicory , Chinese Cabbage , Cucumbers , Florence Fennel , French Beans , Globe Artichokes , Jerusalem Artichokes , Kale , Kohl Rabi , Leeks , Lettuce , Onions , Parsnips , Peppers , Radish , Salsify , Scorzonera , Spinach , Spring Onions , Swedes , Sweetcorn , Swiss Chard , Tomatoes , Turnips

Beetroot , Broad Beans (Fava) , Broccoli , Brussels Sprouts , Cabbages , Carrots , Cauliflowers , Cucumbers , French Beans , Globe Artichokes , Kale , Leeks , Lettuce , Onions , Peppers , Potatoes , Radish , Rhubarb , Runner Beans , Seakale , Shallots , Spinach , Spring Onions , Swiss Chard , Tomatoes

Leeks

• Prune cane fruits when they have finished fruiting

• Keep Strawberry runners under control

• Prune fruit trees

• Pick and store ripened fruit

Prune

Fruit trees can deal with pruning when crops have been harvested.

Cut down Raspberry canes when they have finished fruiting to allow for new growth.

Harvest Apples

In some areas this year has been an excellent year for apples, bumper crops are being harvested as we speak. Hopefully you will also have an excess to deal with, so why not try and turn some into apple juice or even cider?

• Hoe weeds

• Plant spring bulbs

• Sow spring flowers

• Repair lawns

• Take rose cuttings

• Trim lavender to promote new growth

Sowing

Anemone, Coleus, and Laurentia

Collect seeds for next years flowers.

Prune roses and cut back perennials once they have finished flowering.

Take cuttings from Old fashoned roses and other shrubs. Cut healthy shoots and trim to 2-3in. Remove lower leaves and dip into a rooting compound. Place into a tray filed with multi-purpose compost. Water well and cover with a clear lid. Keep the cuttings warm but shaded, and water to keep them moist.

Compost fallen leaves, and the remains of the bedding plants.

Lift tender plants and pot them up indoors. Marguerites and Pelagonioums for example.

Plant shrubs and hedging, or move shrubs to new locations.

With the colder nights approaching keep an eye on the temperature and close the greenhouse windows when required.

Feed greenhouse plants and keep them watered.

Keep and eye on any new cuttings.

Build trusses to support tomato crops.

Examine any potted plants to make sure they don't become pot bound, and repot if necessary.

Check and service any heating equipment.