Gardening expert Monty Don has revealed a crucial October task that promises spectacular growth when summer arrives next year. Among his top recommendations for the month, one key job involves sowing the seeds of sweet peas to give them the best chance of thriving in the coming year.
Why October is the optimum time for sweet peas
Sweet peas, formally known as Lathyrus odoratus, are a firm favourite among garden enthusiasts, prized for their heady scent and the breathtaking fragrance they release at their peak. According to the celebrated horticulturalist, October is the optimum time to get their seeds in the ground.
Sowing sweet peas this month, the gardening guru suggests, will result in considerably larger plants boasting a far stronger root system. Getting them in the soil this early should encourage flowering the following spring sooner than usual, with blooms lasting significantly longer as a result.
Technique and storage advice
There is, however, a minor drawback to consider, as some plants will need storing while others will require protection during winter should conditions take a turn for the worse. This is precisely why Monty Don recommends sowing them now, followed by a second batch in February to minimise any risk of weather-related damage.
He outlined his preferred technique for sowing seeds using a three-inch pot, though he acknowledges that root-trainers are equally effective. He advises using good quality potting compost rather than seed compost, before placing them on a windowsill or in a greenhouse to germinate until the first leaves begin to appear.
At this stage, they should be positioned outdoors in a cold frame or sheltered location to protect them from severe frosts or being waterlogged or even destroyed by mice. Come April, they ought to be ready for planting out, and by summertime, they'll be flowering magnificently.
Other October gardening tasks
The Royal Horticultural Society recommends that when the moment arrives to plant them, you should look for a sunny position with adequate room for the plant to either climb or bush out — depending on its growth habit.
Beyond sweet peas, Monty Don proposes several other beneficial practices to incorporate into your gardening schedule this October, in preparation for the year ahead. The gardening expert recommends that during October you should start digging over any ground you might wish to replant this winter or utilise for the spring to come.
By tackling it now, the soil is still likely to be dry and there's considerably more daylight available before the clocks go back again, making gardening somewhat more challenging. It can, nevertheless, feel like quite an overwhelming job, so it might be something you approach gradually, dedicating 30 minutes weekly or 15-minute sessions bit by bit. Don suggests leaving the earth in large clods for the weather to naturally break down over the winter months.
While you're doing this, in October you should trim back and compost all decaying foliage that exists around your garden borders, but make certain to leave some structure for winter.
