What to do in the garden in October?

October marks the transition to the colder months, and it's the perfect time to prepare your garden for winter. Here are some tips for maintaining your garden in October and preparing it for a beautiful recovery next spring.

Fall vegetables: This is the time to harvest the last vegetables such as carrots, beets, leeks, and cabbages. Also remember to pick pumpkins and squashes before the first frosts. Sowing hardy vegetables: For vegetable gardens, you can still sow spinach, lamb's lettuce or watercress, vegetables that grow well even in lower temperatures. These crops will provide harvests at the beginning of winter. Planting garlic and shallots: In October, plant garlic and shallots for a harvest in the spring.

Divide and plant: Divide perennials to rejuvenate clumps and to multiply them (hostas, astilbes, etc.). This is also a good time to plant new shrubs and perennials: cool temperatures and frequent rains facilitate their rooting. Protect fragile plants: Protect frost-sensitive plants, such as dahlias or oleanders, by mulching their bases or bringing them indoors if they are in pots.

Mulching: Cover the beds with organic mulch (dead leaves, wood chips) to protect the soil from the harsh winter weather and limit the appearance of weeds. Green manure: Sow green manures such as phacelia or clover. They will enrich the soil with nitrogen and aerate it thanks to their roots.

Last mowing: Do the last mowing before winter, leaving the lawn slightly higher than usual (about 5 cm) to protect it from frost. Scarification and aeration: Consider scarifying your lawn to remove moss and dead grass, which promotes aeration of the roots. Autumn fertilizer: Add a specific autumn fertilizer to strengthen the roots and help the lawn get through the winter.

Fall pruning: Lightly prune deciduous fruit trees and shrubs to remove dead or diseased wood. Don't hesitate to remove poorly oriented branches to prevent them from breaking under the weight of the snow. Planting trees: October is perfect for planting new trees and shrubs, as they will benefit from the fall moisture to root well before winter.

Bring fragile plants indoors: Gather potted plants that are sensitive to cold (geraniums, citrus fruits) in a bright, frost-free shelter. Reduce watering: Gradually reduce watering indoor and outdoor plants to prepare them for their winter rest.

Plant tulip, hyacinth, daffodil and crocus bulbs in October for colourful blooms next spring. Bury them about three times their height in well-drained soil.