October is a fantastic month to be outside and there’s still plenty to do for fabulous flowers.
- Cut back and clear growth that has died down
- Sow sweet peas and overwinter them in a cold frame or greenhouse for flowers in early spring
- For the scent of spring at Christmas plant hyacinth and narcissus bulbs in pretty containers
- Prune climbing roses
- For winter colour plant hanging baskets and containers with pansies, polyanthus, primroses, dwarf wallflowers and early spring bulbs such as hyacinth, crocus and miniature narcissus
- Plant spring bulbs but wait until November to plant tulip bulbs
- Move tender plants into the greenhouse
- Remove drip trays from containers and raise pots with bricks or terracotta feet to avoid frost damage
- Stop feeding plants as they slow down for winter
- Collect seeds to sow next year
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