Pat’s 10 jobs for October 2025

1. Salvias are flowering their hearts out now but make sure you have some cuttings on stand by to cover any winter losses. And remember that quite a few are tender and will need winter protection in the colder months.

2. Last year I dug up my Dahlia tubers and potted them up once they had died down but lost quite a few despite keeping them frost free. So this time I will try leaving some in the ground and giving them a thick mulch. Of course, the problem then is trying to protect the new growth in spring from slugs and snails, so they’ll need keeping an eye on.

3. Start thinking about protecting tender perennials like Pelargoniums or Begonias for the winter, either by bringing under cover if you have some or keeping up against a warm house wall and fleecing if it gets really cold.

4. The autumn colour this year is stunning and if it’s missing in your garden think about planting something for next years season like an Acer, Virginia creeper or Boston ivy. There’s plenty of other good options too, if you have any space!

5. Now is the best time for hardwood cuttings such as dogwood or soft fruit bushes, which strike very easily once the leaves have fallen off. Either plant in a slit trench in the ground or around the edge of deep pots. They take a while to root but are an economical way to increase your plant stock.

6. It is still very, very dry so if planting anything don’t forget to keep watering or your plants won’t be able to establish.

7. Sweep up your leaves and use them to make leaf mould by keeping in wire containers with plenty of air or in old compost bags pierced with holes. It makes a good soil conditioner and maybe try mulching your Dahlias with it (though it can take two years to fully break down).

8. You can plant broad beans towards the end of the month. In my view they always make the best and most productive plants if sown in October/November.

9. If you can, try and turn compost in bins. At this time of year it cools down and stops decomposing, so turning can get it going again as you may need it for spring.

10. Plant a few things for early spring like primroses. to attract early flying bees and other pollinators.

Happy gardening all!

Pat K