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