October in the garden is a month full of contrasts. During the day it can surprise us with pleasant warmth and golden sun, but in the evening it is already cold and night temperatures often drop to freezing point.
It is the time when we can still sit on the bench with a cup of tea, but at the same time we are already moving sensitive plants into the heat. The garden is slowly going into hibernation, but we still have plenty of work to do – from planting autumn containers to caring for perennials.
Roommates from the terrace back home
If you allowed your houseplants to stay on the balcony or terrace in the summer, it’s time to bring them back indoors. Night temperatures can drop suddenly and they would not tolerate frost. Always check them before moving them to avoid bringing home unwanted visitors – aphids, slugs or slugs. Summering will make your houseplants strong and better able to handle the winter season with shorter days and less sunlight. Do not fertilize room plants or transplant them. Wait until spring.
What (not) to cut in autumn
Autumn tempts you to clean up, but not everything dry and faded has to disappear immediately. Perennials with distinctive dry inflorescences, such as cones and coneflowers, stonecrops, monards or hydrangeas, and ornamental grasses should be left undisturbed. In winter, they will be a beautiful decoration, catch hoarfrost or snow and provide shelter for small animals. Small insects hibernate in the dry leaves, birds feed on the seeds. Cut only those off-flowers that are at risk of uncontrolled and unwanted self-sowing, for example, this applies to the aster. Enjoy the garden in its autumn, slightly wild form.
Autumn containers that last
Autumn boxes and containers don’t have to be just about chrysanthemums. Combinations of heathers, heathers or dabecias, complemented by an underplanting of ivy or small-flowered pansies, which can withstand frosts, work beautifully. Don’t be afraid to add small pumpkins or twigs with berries as decoration. Lower cultivars of starwort combined with ornamental grass are also suitable for containers.
Take your time with the onions
Bulbs are planted in October, but I recommend waiting for the turn of October and November. A warm autumn causes bulbs to sprout prematurely if planted too early. In recent years, the beginning of November, when the ground has cooled but is still not frozen, has proven to be ideal. This applies to tulips, daffodils, crocuses and other spring species.
TIP: Take a trip to the botanical garden. I am close to the Botanical Garden in Troy. I always admire the perennial beds in combination with ornamental grasses and the colorful foliage of the trees there. It’s breathtaking on a sunny day. I also recommend the Dendrological Garden in Průhonice. I believe that you will also find beautiful plantings and lots of inspiration in other gardens.
You could find this article in the magazine Recipe No. 10/25.
