As the golden hues of autumn settle across the UK, savvy gardeners know that October is not a time to hang up their trowels. It's a secret window of opportunity—a prime planting period to ensure your plot is bursting with life long before the first signs of spring.
While many assume the growing season is over, getting certain seeds in the ground now is the key to a triumphant and early harvest. We've consulted with horticultural experts to bring you the definitive list of crops that will reward you for your efforts.
Your October Planting Hit List
1. Hardy Lettuces & Winter Salads: Don't resign yourself to supermarket bagged salads! Sow varieties like 'Winter Gem' or 'Arctic King' lettuce now. They'll establish roots in the cool soil and provide fresh, crunchy leaves throughout the colder months, especially with a little cloche protection.
2. Plump Peas for Spring: For an incredibly early crop of sweet, delicious peas, get them in the ground now. Opt for hardy varieties like 'Meteor' or 'Douce Provence'. They'll develop strong roots over winter and be ready to rocket away at the first hint of warmer weather, often yielding a harvest weeks ahead of spring-sown peas.
3. Robust Broad Beans: Follow the same principle as peas. Sowing a variety like 'Aquadulce Claudia' in October means sturdy plants that are less susceptible to blackfly and will produce a bounty of beans as early as May.
4. Potent Garlic & Onions: October is the perfect month to plant garlic cloves and onion sets. They require a period of cold to initiate growth, resulting in larger, better-formed bulbs next summer. It's one of the easiest and most rewarding crops for any gardener.
5. Vibrant Spring Onions: For a continuous supply, sow a hardy variety like 'White Lisbon' now. They'll stand over winter and be ready to jazz up your salads early in the new year.
6. Leafy Spinach & Chard: These nutrient-packed greens are tougher than they look. Sown now, they'll provide a steady pick of leaves for steaming and stir-fries. They might slow down in the deepest winter but will come back with a vengeance in early spring.
7. Beautiful Blooms: Sweet Peas: While not for eating, no cottage garden is complete without them. Sowing sweet peas in autumn leads to stronger plants with more extensive root systems. They'll flower much earlier and for longer next summer, filling your garden with colour and fragrance.
Pro Tips for October Sowing Success
- Location is Key: Choose a sunny, well-drained spot to prevent seeds from sitting in cold, waterlogged soil.
- Protect Your Investments: Use cloches, horticultural fleece, or a cold frame to shield young seedlings from the worst of the winter weather and hungry pests.
- Check Your Soil: Ensure it's in good nick. A little well-rotted compost dug in will give your crops the best possible start.
So, pull on your wellies and grab your seeds. A little time spent in the garden this October will pay you back tenfold with delicious, home-grown produce and a stunning display of flowers when you need it most.
