Gardening in October: everything at a glance

What blooms in October What else can you plant and sow in October? Which vegetables are in season in October? Our tips for gardening in October at a glance.

When October is just around the corner, the year is slowly drawing to a close. In the garden calendar in October there is still nothing to be seen of the approaching end of the year. On the contrary: there is still enough to do for gardeners this autumn month. Gardening in October is not just about harvesting many autumn vegetables. In fact, you still can Plant autumn vegetables. The garden also needs sufficient maintenance during this time. We have summarized the best gardening tips for October for you here.

Sow and plant in October

Even if temperatures slowly drop in the garden month of October and the climate becomes cooler, the beds do not have to be empty. In fact, there are a few types of vegetables that can be planted in October. But what else can be planted or sown in October? We have compiled the best plants for growing in October for you here.

What else can you plant in October?

In October autumn came to the garden and people are slowly preparing for winter. Nevertheless, the beds do not have to be empty - the opposite is the case: you can still plant a lot in October. the Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) benefits from planting in October, for example, as it can use the winter moisture of the soil for growth. Anyone who has a rhubarb plant (Rheum rhabarbarum) owns, can also plant this in October. It is best to work generous amounts of compost into the soil beforehand, as the plant is one of the strong eaters. Also for hardy fruit trees like apple (Malus domestica), Pear (Pyrus) or plum (Prunus domestica) autumn planting in October is ideal, as it gives you more time for your roots to grow - in contrast to spring planting.

But what other vegetables can you plant in October? On the one hand, the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) good for planting in October because, unlike the potato, it is hardy and will sprout reliably in the next year. On the other hand, you can also use onions (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum) can still be planted in October without any problems. In October, bulbous and bulbous plants such as the tulip (Tulpa), Snowdrops (Galanthus) or daffodils (Narcissus) are planted. Trees are also best planted in October, as they then show better root growth. In addition, bare-root rose bushes (pink) are best planted in October, because they will then sprout much earlier than roses planted in spring.

fruit: Apple, pear, plum, rhubarb, gooseberry, sour cherry, sweet cherry, plum

vegetables: Garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, onion

Ornamental garden: Gold lacquer, mullein, daffodil, roses, snowdrops, shrub peonies, tulips, winterling

What else can you sow in October?

October is so cold and unfriendly that you can't sow anything anymore? Wrong thought - a few more plants can actually be sown in October. Robust Asian salads and leaf mustard like Mizuna (Brassica rapa var.nipposinica) can even be sown outdoors. The lesser-known vegetables Guter Heinrich (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) - a spinach-like wild vegetable - and the Chervil (Chaerophyllum bulbosum) - a tuber vegetable. You can sow these outdoors until the end of October without any problems. The rare one Sea kale (Crambe maritima) is sown outside in the pot in October to be grown indoors from March onwards. Even hardy ones Spinach varieties (Spinacia oleracea) can be sown in the bed or in the green skin in October. In the greenhouse is that too Cultivation of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta) still possible in October.

Be in the ornamental garden Cold germ like phlox (Phlox paniculata), Torch lily (Kniphofia) and bergenia (Bergenia) sown. Also the monkshood (Aconite) can get a job in the bed in October. But be careful: it is highly toxic and should not be within the reach of children. In addition, October is wonderfully suitable for a hardy green manure how mustard (Sinapis) to apply. Even annual, hardy plants like Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) and Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) can be sown in October.

Outdoors: Lamb's lettuce, garden cress, mustard, spinach

In the greenhouse: Asian salads, Guter Heinrich, chervil, Sea kale, Mizuna, spinach

Ornamental garden: Field delphinium, bergenia, monkshood, torch lily, lady's mantle, Jungfer in the green, Californian poppy, corn poppy, cornflower, phlox, giant balsamines, marigold, daylily, usury flower

Seasonal vegetables in October: what can you harvest now?

If you want to harvest fresh fruit and vegetables in October, you don't have to worry about empty beds. In addition to numerous types of vegetables, many types of fruit and some salads are also ripe for harvest in October. The classic seasonal vegetables in October include many types of cabbage, in particular Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) and black salsify (Scorzonera). Also salads like Chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) and Lollo Rosso (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) are still in season in October. In October you can put the last cucumbers in the greenhouse (Cucumis sativus) to harvest. But we are particularly pleased about the aromatic hazel (Corylus avellana) and walnuts (Juglans regia) and chestnuts (Castanea sativa), with which October presents us. If you prefer something sweeter, come with apples, pears and grapes (Vitis vinifera) to his taste.

vegetables: Cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, fennel, carrots, potatoes, kohlrabi, pumpkin, corn, horseradish, pak choi, peppers, parsnips, leeks, radishes, radishes, Brussels sprouts, beetroot, red cabbage, black salsify, celery tuber, spinach, pointed cabbage, runner beans, celery, turnip, tomatoes, white cabbage, savoy cabbage, sweet corn, zucchini, Onions

salad: Chicory, iceberg, lollo rosso, radicchio

fruit: Apples, pears, mountain ash, rose hips, hazelnuts, elderberries, kiwi, chestnuts, Medlar, Quince, rowan berries, walnuts, grapes, plums

In the greenhouse: Cucumber

What blooms in October

In October the garden often shows its most beautiful side thanks to the colorful autumn colors. But some trees and bushes not only impress with their magnificent play of colors - the European leadwort (Plumbago europaea) still shows its purple flowers in October. The large-flowered St. John's wort (Hypericum ‘Hidcote’) tirelessly displays a multitude of golden-yellow bowl blossoms in October. Numerous climbing plants are also in bloom: the flowers of the Ivy (Hedera helix) are quite inconspicuous at first glance, but attract numerous beneficial insects. The innumerable white flower panicles of the shilling knotweed (Fallopia aubertii) and the beautiful flowers of the butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) are often visited by bees and co. Rose lovers will also get their money's worth, because many varieties still show their extravagant flowers even in October.

But which flowers bloom in October? Autumn chrysanthemums shine in the shrub bed (Chrysanthemum IndicumHybrids), sedum (Sedum) and garden dahlias (Dahlia x hortensis). Even the poisonous autumn monkey hat (Aconite x arendsii) presents its striking blue flowers in October. the Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) with its light purple flowers turns out to be a dangerous beauty in October. Heather species like the are particularly popular in October Bell heather (Erica gracilis) that bloom well into winter. A classic that should not be missing in any garden is of course this Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): The large yellow flowers light up the garden when they bloom in October.

trees and shrubs: European leadwort, large-flowered St. John's wort, butterfly bush

Climbing plants: Ivy, clematis, knotweed

Perennials: Sedum plant, garden dahlias, bell heather, autumn anemones, Fall asters, Autumn chrysanthemums, October sun hat

flower: Autumn crocus, Sunflower

More work in the garden in October

Of course, gardening in October doesn't just consist of planting and harvesting various types of fruit and vegetables. In the garden month of October, there are many more tasks to be done in the garden: cutting, raking leaves and fertilizing are of course also part of it. We have summarized all gardening work that should still be done in October here for you.

Store apples: Storage apples like that Boskop slowly ripen in October and need to be picked. Correct storage is crucial to ensure that they survive the winter well: only flawless apples are stored in airy boxes in a dark, 1 to 5 ° C cool room.

Transplant trees: You don't move an old tree - but you can move a young one. If you notice that a tree is not in the ideal place after all, you should use October to move it. Prerequisite: the tree has been in this position for less than five years. Trees that have been in one place for a long time are not only more difficult to move, but also usually do not survive the change well.

Prepare the bed: If the construction of a new bed is to be started in the next year, it is worth digging up heavy and loamy soil as early as October. The frost in winter crushes the clods further, so that the final preparation in spring is easier by hand.

Water the strawberries: If in summer strawberries (Fragaria) have been planted, they must be kept sufficiently moist until winter in order to develop enough roots. If the garden is rather dry in October, you should definitely not forget to water the strawberries.

Excavate gladioli and montbretia: Since both Montbretia (Crocosmia) and gladioli (Gladiolus) usually cannot survive the frost in winter, the tubers should be dug up in October. The tubers can easily be overwintered at 10 ° C in a box with sand or earth.

Cut autumn raspberries: It is in the garden month of October Cutting the autumn raspberries (Rubus idaeus) on the plan. Fortunately, this is not particularly complicated: all harvested shoots are cut off at about ground level.

Hibernate potted plants: Container plants, such as fuchsias (Fuchsia) or oleander (Nerium oleander) that have been outside in the summer should move into a place in the house by October at the latest. Depending on the requirements of the plant, they can be overwintered there in light or dark at warmer temperatures. You can find out more about the right winter quarters in our special article on Wintering of container plants.

Fertilize the lawn: If you haven't fertilized your lawn yet, you should definitely do so in October. An autumn lawn fertilizer like that Plantura autumn lawn fertilizer, not only provides your lawn with all the important nutrients, but also ensures that it becomes more frost-tolerant.

Divide the rhubarb: The Division of rhubarb should be done every eight to ten years to keep the plant vital. Gardening is best done in October, when the leaves are already brown. Sections are cut off with a sharp spade and planted in a new place.

Fertilize indoor plants: At the beginning of October, house plants should be fertilized one last time before they switch to their dormant period. A good houseplant fertilizer like ours is best for this Plantura organic house plant fertilizer. Only house plants that like the Christmas star (Euphorbia pulcherrima) bloom in winter, should still be fertilized after October.

Remove leaves: When gardening in October, leaves play a major role: this can be particularly important in beds or on lawns Damp leaves not only look unsightly, they can even cause damage, because grass in particular quickly begins to grow under them rotten. You should also remove the leaves in the garden pond, otherwise it will sink to the bottom of the pond and break down into digested sludge. Even so, you don't just have to throw the leaves away: piles of leaves in small, wild corners help garden animals like hedgehogs to hibernate. You can find more recycling options for foliage in our article "Autumn leaves in the garden: 5 great tips & tricks“.

You can find out how the gardening work continues in autumn in our article on Gardening in November.