October 2026

garden tips this month in the garden

The days are shortening and your garden is taking on its beautiful rich autumn colours. It’s a fabulous month to be outside and working in the garden. October is a great month for planting trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials with the cooler/ damp conditions helping new plants to settle in. Leaves will need to be cleared, lawns prepared and your borders/ flower beds to be tidied.

Jobs for the garden in October

Keep ahead of your falling leaves and collect them to make leaf mulch which can be added to your potting mix. If you do not have space large enough for a leaf pile then pop them into black plastic bin bags and put somewhere out the of the way. A wonderful addition to your potting mix.
Think about your winter structure – plant Winter flowering shrubs in October such as Daphnes, Camilias & Hamamelis. You can also add in hellebores and cyclamen under these shrubs for further winter interest.
Raise your pots off the ground with feet to prevent them getting water logged. This also ensures correct drainage to keep your pots for cracking with the temperature drops.
October is a great month to divide your herbaceous perennials. Tease clumps apart with your hands or use 2 garden folks with their backs to each other to ease them apart. Then replace whatever is needed tin the original planting hole and either plant the remainder somewhere else or gift to another gardener!
Aerate, scarify and feed your lawn now. This will do it the world of good and ensure your grass is healthy.

Roberts Top Tip

In October, give your plants a final feed before they go to sleep for the winter. Very easy to do and we’d recommend a granular seaweed food.

Garden Tool of the Month

Pruning Saw
To be used for those larger tougher areas in your garden. It's vital and very useful tool to have when pruning your shrubs and unruly trees. Make sure you clean any sap off your saw before putting it way.

Click here to view our selection of garden tools.

Plant of the Month

Anemones

This beautiful plant should be blooming in October. You can go for a small variety perfect for your patio pots – called Fantasy Rapunzel. Or a slightly larger plant but still relatively compact – Fantasy Cinderella – perfect towards the front of your border.