October in the Garden: Growing Calendar of Jobs

In brief: In October the garden is mainly about finishing the harvest of root vegetables and apples, planting bulbs and garlic, raking leaves and preparing perennials and the lawn for winter. It is also the last suitable month for planting fruit trees and shrubs with a root ball, while the soil has not yet frozen.

October in the garden is the month of finishing the season and at the same time of preparing for next year. Most of the summer work is behind you; now it is mainly about putting the harvest into store, establishing what is to overwinter in the ground, and preparing beds and lawn for the cold months.

Harvest in October

In October the last varieties of apples and pears intended for long-term storage ripen; harvest them in dry weather and carefully, so that no bruises form on the skin that would shorten keeping quality. At the same time it is time to harvest root vegetables such as carrot, parsley root, celeriac or beetroot, unless you want to leave them in the ground over winter. Clean the dug vegetables of soil, let them dry and store them in a cellar in boxes with sand or peat so that they do not wilt needlessly.

Planting bulbs and garlic

October is the main month for planting spring bulbs, that is, tulips, daffodils, crocuses or grape hyacinths, because they need to go through a cold period to flower reliably in spring. Likewise winter garlic is planted in October, which has enough time to root before the ground freezes, but not to grow above ground. Plant to a depth of roughly two to three times the size of the bulb, in well-drained, not too heavy soil.

Planting woody plants

As long as the soil has not frozen, October is also a suitable month for planting fruit trees, shrubs and ornamental woody plants, especially bare-root ones, which are sold in garden centres precisely in autumn. Autumn planting gives the roots time to root before winter, so in spring the plant starts into the season stronger than if it were planted only in spring. After planting, water the woody plant generously, and for smaller or newly planted trees consider a stake as support against autumn winds.

Lawn and bed care

In October the last mowing of the lawn in the season usually takes place; mow a little higher than in summer so that the grass has more leaf area for photosynthesis before winter. Rake fallen leaves regularly, especially from the lawn, where under a thick layer the grass could get damp and rot over winter. Use the collected leaves for compost or as mulch under shrubs and perennials, where they also serve as natural protection of the roots from frost.

Protecting more tender plants

More tender perennials, roses or young shrubs are best earthed up or covered with a layer of evergreen branches or straw before the first heavier frosts. For container plants left outdoors over winter, raise the pots so that they do not stand directly on freezing paving, and if possible move them closer to the wall of the house, where it is a little warmer.

You can find a more detailed overview of specific October jobs in the individual parts of the garden in the articles Garden calendar – October and October in the garden.

Why October is a good month for planning next season

After the main harvest ends, October is also a suitable moment to assess what went well in the beds this year and what did not. Note which varieties disappointed or, on the contrary, surprised with their yield, and consider how to adjust the crop rotation plan or the layout of beds next year. Decisions made calmly in autumn tend to be better thought out than those made in a hurry in spring in the middle of sowing.

Storing the harvest over winter

Correct storage determines how long your harvest will keep. Store potatoes, root vegetables and apples separately, because ripening apples release ethylene, which speeds up the spoiling of other vegetables and fruit near them. A cellar or other store should be dark, cool and slightly damp, with the possibility of occasional ventilation to prevent mould.

Work on perennial and herb beds

Gradually cut back spent perennials in October, but for more tender species rather leave the foliage on the plant until spring, where it will serve as natural protection against frost. In autumn thin out the herb bed of dried remains of annuals and biennials and fill any gaps by replanting clumps of perennial herbs, such as lemon balm or sage, which establish well at this time. If you also have herbs in a window box on a windowsill, October is the last suitable moment to bring them indoors before the first night frosts arrive.

Preparing the greenhouse and polytunnel for winter

After the main season ends, thoroughly clear the greenhouse or polytunnel of plant remains and weeds that could host diseases and pests over winter for next year. Check the frame and the sheeting for damage and repair any tears before the first snow. If you also grow in the greenhouse over winter, for example lettuce or radishes, adjust ventilation so that excessive humidity promoting mould does not build up inside.

Overall, October can be summed up as the month when the garden needs systematic tidying and preparation rather than new sowings. What you manage to tidy and prepare now will save you time in spring that would otherwise go on dealing with the consequences of neglected autumn care.

Frequently asked questions

Can vegetables still be planted in October?

Direct sowing of heat-loving vegetables no longer makes sense, but winter garlic can still be planted and, in milder areas, some varieties of spinach for a spring harvest.

Why are bulbs planted in autumn?

Tulips, daffodils and other spring bulbs need to go through a period of cold to set their flowers correctly, so they are planted in autumn and flower straight away in spring.

When is it too late to plant trees?

Bare-root woody plants can be planted as long as the soil has not frozen, so usually until November. Container plants can in theory be planted later, if the weather allows digging.

Does the lawn still need feeding in October?

An autumn fertiliser with lower nitrogen and higher potassium and phosphorus content is suitable; it supports the lawn's resistance over winter, not lush growth.

How long do root vegetables keep in a cellar?

With correct storage in sand or peat and a constantly cool temperature, carrots, parsley root and celeriac keep in good condition for several months.

Does a greenhouse need to be winterised even if nothing is grown in it?

Yes, even an empty greenhouse is worth clearing after the season and checking the frame, because plant remains and moisture inside may promote the development of moulds and pests over winter, which would then attack plants right at the start of the next season.

Sources

• ÚKZÚZ – Varieties, lists of recommended varieties
• ÚKZÚZ – Seed and planting material

Updated: 11 October 2026