What to Do in the Garden This October

Once a summer display has genuinely finished, October is a good opportunity to give it a new purpose.

Start with the places that make the greatest difference: the front door, patio, window boxes and hanging baskets you see every day.

Before replanting, remove old roots and tired plants, check that drainage holes are clear and assess whether the existing compost is suitable for the next display or needs refreshing or replacing.

When choosing plants, think about their different roles rather than simply selecting individual plants that look attractive on the bench.

A successful autumn and winter display may combine structure with seasonal flowers, interesting foliage, contrasting textures and lower-growing or trailing plants.

Arrange everything before planting so you can judge the balance of the finished display.

Our autumn and winter Use Case Collections are designed around these sorts of gardening jobs, helping you create a coordinated result without having to choose every plant independently.

By October, protecting tender plants should move higher up the list.

If you have chillies, pelargoniums or other tender perennials you want to keep, don't wait until frost damage tells you it is time to act.

First decide which plants are worth overwintering and where you can provide the conditions they need.

Depending on the plant, this may be a greenhouse, conservatory or another suitable light, frost-free position.

Before anything comes under cover, inspect it carefully. Look underneath leaves, around stems and across the compost surface for signs of pests or disease. Remove dead and damaged material and deal with problems before putting the plant alongside others.

Where appropriate, you might also take cuttings rather than trying to overwinter every large plant.

The important thing is to have a plan before a cold night forces you to make hurried decisions.

As autumn progresses, drainage and stability become increasingly important.

Check containers to make sure excess water can escape freely. Clear blocked drainage holes where necessary and don't allow pots to sit permanently in water.

Hanging baskets also deserve attention. Check brackets, chains and fixings, particularly in exposed positions.

Remember that a wet basket can be considerably heavier than a dry one.

Remove fallen leaves where they are covering small plants, blocking drainage or making paths slippery, and check taller plants for damaged supports.

You don't need to make the garden spotless. The aim is to deal with things that could cause problems while allowing autumn to remain autumn.

As the outdoor garden slows down, October is a good month to turn some attention indoors.

Houseplants are responding to shorter days and lower light levels too.

Start by checking their positions. A spot that provided plenty of indirect light during summer may become considerably darker during autumn and winter.

Watering also needs adjusting. Many houseplants will use moisture more slowly as growth reduces, so check the compost before reaching for the watering can.

Remove damaged leaves, clean dusty foliage where appropriate and inspect plants carefully for pests.

If you have brought plants indoors from outside, keep an especially close eye on them before placing them amongst established houseplants.

The key is not to suddenly start doing more to your houseplants. It is to notice how their needs are changing.