October is the perfect time to plan for next year's garden. While fall isn't typically seen as a growing season, there are still plenty of options for what to plant now, including hardy vegetables, bare root fruit trees, shrubs, and spring flowers.
By making thoughtful choices now, you can enjoy a vibrant garden that thrives after winter's chill and a vegetable plot that offers a bountiful harvest.
Here are some great gardening ideas to inspire your kitchen garden or spring flower beds.
What to Plant in October – Vegetables to Sow
Planting vegetables in the fall gives them a head start over those sown in spring, producing crops sooner.
This approach helps ensure a steady supply of fresh produce throughout the year.
Consider these vegetables for an early summer harvest.
1. Onions
To enjoy early onion harvests next year, plant over-wintering sets now. They're easy to cultivate and versatile in the kitchen, making them a must for your vegetable garden.
"Plant onion sets now for the best sized bulbs next year," suggests an expert.
Onions thrive in fertile, sunny spots, so pick the perfect location in your garden and arm yourself with the necessary knowledge to grow them successfully.
2. Peas
"Sow fast-maturing pea varieties outside now, but protect young seedlings with cloches to shield them from birds," recommends a gardening expert.
These climbing plants fit well in smaller vegetable gardens as they use minimal ground space. Support shorter types with small stakes, while taller varieties benefit from a trellis.
Once you learn how to grow peas, you'll enjoy a generous harvest, as picking encourages further production.
3. Fava Beans
With warm soil, the mild weather now encourages quick vegetable seed germination, and moisture retention is generally easier.
Fava bean 'Aquadulce Claudia' is a top choice for fall planting, providing an early spring harvest.
Consider companion planting – pairing broad beans with summer savory can help deter pests.
A hardy legume, fava beans can withstand winter conditions and germinate at just 36°F (2°C). Learn to cultivate them and enjoy freshly shelled beans.
Flowers to Plant in October
Get those spring bulbs in the ground before it freezes. This period, from October to mid-December, is also great for sowing hardy annuals.
1. Sweet Peas
With their lovely scent and vibrant blooms, sweet peas are perfect for cottage gardens.
"Sowing sweet peas in October leads to larger plants with stronger roots, resulting in earlier and longer-lasting flowers next spring," advises a gardening authority.
However, protect young plants during winter. Consider sowing another batch in February to minimize risks.
Plant sweet peas in small pots and place them in a cold frame over winter for spring planting. They need protection from frost, mice, and excess moisture, but no extra heat is necessary.
Our tips on growing sweet peas will ensure a vibrant display.
2. Crocus
Now's the time to plant crocus bulbs for a stunning spring display. Cluster them in borders or naturalize them in grassy areas for a woodland vibe.
Crocuses can bloom even in winter, adding color to your garden despite snow cover. Once established, they can naturalize and return year after year with minimal upkeep.
3. Wildflowers
Wildflowers enhance your garden's beauty and provide vital food for bees and butterflies.
Fall is the best time to sow wildflower seeds for the earliest blooms. Poor soil conditions are ideal for wildflowers, so no need to enrich the ground.
Clear an area for the best germination chances and scatter seeds generously. You could even create a wildflower meadow that self-sows each year, increasing your floral display.
Shrubs to Plant in October
October offers ideal conditions for planting shrubs, as cooler fall temperatures reduce stress on plants.
Cool air with warm soil encourages root growth.
1. Lilac
With vibrant, fragrant blooms, lilacs herald spring. Numerous varieties produce white, purple, and pink flowers.
Fall is the best season to plant these deciduous shrubs before the ground freezes. They thrive in sunny spots with moist, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil.
After enjoying your lilac blooms, remember to learn how to prune lilacs for continuous beauty.
2. Forsythia
Bursting with cheerful yellow flowers, forsythia is one of the first to bloom in spring and looks wonderful in borders.
"Forsythia is easy to grow and prune, lasting for years," say experts.
October is ideal for planting, as long as the soil isn't frozen or overly dry or wet.
Forsythia prefers full sun and moist, fertile soil, so consider adding compost before planting.
3. Viburnum
With both evergreen and deciduous options, viburnums are easy-care shrubs that produce lovely blooms in early spring.
Plant them in October, and although they tolerate various conditions, they perform best in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
"Most viburnums thrive in full sun or partial shade. For optimal flowering, provide at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight or all-day filtered sun," advise experts.
Fruit Trees to Plant in October
Now is a great time for bare root fruit trees. Fall is prime for planting these trees, which are dormant and leafless when lifted from the ground.
Once planted, these trees focus on establishing roots, making them ready to thrive come spring.
Additionally, bare root trees are often more affordable than potted ones and are eco-friendly, reducing plastic use.
1. Blackberries
Who can resist sweet, juicy blackberries? Having your own blackberry bush means easy access for snacks, desserts, or preserves.
"With bare root trees, you have more cultivars and rootstocks to choose from, plus they establish more effectively," says an expert.
Plant bare root blackberry trees immediately after receiving them, soaking the roots for a couple of hours before planting.
Ensure thorough watering to help your new tree adapt. "Transplanted trees face challenges with water access, as pot-grown trees experience different soil conditions," explains a nursery manager.
2. Apples
Apple trees are some of the easiest to grow, with a wide variety of flavors and uses available.
"Know the mature size of your chosen apple tree to ensure adequate space for growth and maintenance, including pruning," advises an expert.
Plant bare root apple trees in late fall by digging a hole that matches the root depth and spreading the roots out, making the hole three times wider than the root spread.
3. Strawberries
It's not too late to plant strawberry runners if you act in early October.
Before planting, incorporate well-rotted manure or compost into the soil. Ensure the crown of the plant is at ground level; planting it too deeply can lead to rot.
Various methods exist for growing strawberries, and with a little patience, you can enjoy homegrown strawberries.
