Alan Titchmarsh has shared five crucial tasks gardeners should complete before the end of October, which is two weeks away. While the brighter months may be largely behind us, work outdoors does not have to stop. October is a "brilliant time" to make changes that will "pay off" next year, he said.
The advice was shared in the latest episode of his YouTube channel, Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh. Among the jobs he suggested tackling this month are forking over flower beds, encouraging birdlife and adding winter-flowering plants. Alan says completing these five simple tasks means your "garden will thank you for it".
Cut back perennials and fork over beds
For the first task, Alan recommends sharp shears and secateurs to cut back perennials in beds and borders. "October is, if you like, sort of the beginning of the end, the very start of autumn. A lot of the summer flowering perennials are fading, and you can keep deadheading," he said. "But there comes a point when there's not even a deadhead to take off, and you need to do something just a bit more dramatic."
Gardeners should determine which perennials need cutting back and which can be left alone, as many will have already finished flowering. Cut them down to nearly ground level with shears, which allows air to circulate and the plant to "bounce back" next spring. Perennials with late green growth can be lightly sheared, leaving some foliage on. Alan stressed that grasses and plants that benefit wildlife should be left well alone.
For the second task, Alan advises forking over beds to relieve compaction and allow air in. "October is a really good time to prick over the surface of the ground with a fork, relieving compaction and allowing a bit of air in. The job is much easier to do in a newly planted border," he said. "There'll be more bare soil between your plants. It's a bit more difficult when a border has become established, and the plants have started to grow together."
In that case, Alan says it is not worth worrying too much about it. A quality, 100 per cent peat-free soil improver should be worked into the bed using a garden fork. If the soil is wet, it should be left until the following bout of dry weather, then left as it is for the winter.
Welcome birds and plant winter flowers
October is a "busy" time for birds, Alan reminded us, and they need food, shelter and places to roost. Installing a bird box is one easy way to help, but it should be durable enough to withstand the weather. Place it in a sheltered spot out of reach of cats, and consider buying one with wire mesh to keep squirrels out. Adding bird-friendly plants such as beautyberry and firethorns can also help.
Alan also encourages planting winter-flowering plants. "It's such a shame if the garden becomes a no-go area once autumn's arrived. Plant things that flower right the way through the winter, and you'll always want to go out there and they'll lift your spirits," he said. Favourites include winter-flowering heather, pansies and hellebores.
Plant tulips for spring blooms
Finally, Alan says tulips can be planted from October up to Christmas and will bloom "powerfully" in the spring. When planting in a pot or container, use multipurpose, peat-free compost. He noted there are thousands of colours to choose from, but one of his personal favourite combinations is purple and white. Alan added that bulbs should be planted "pointy end upwards" and packed in.
Catch Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on ITV today (October 18), from 9.30am to 11.30am.
