Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2025 i BBC Gardeners' World

October is a month of change. The last hints of summer finally make way for autumn and as the temperatures drop and the days shorten, it’s easy to think the garden is winding down and there’s less to do. But it’s one of our busiest seasons. Whether it’s harvesting pumpkins or the last tomatoes, giving the lawn its final cut of the year or mulching borders, there’s plenty to be getting on with. Mulching, whatever our soil type, is an important job, but after the baking summer we’ve just had, it’s more essential than ever. As the rains come, locking moisture into our soil rather than losing it to evaporation is vital, and adding organic material to our beds and borders, be it well-rotted manure, garden compost or leafmould, will…

“October, baptise me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup”Rainbow Rowell STAR OF THE MONTH Acer palmatum ‘Winter Flame’ This is the season of the acer. Spring was charming with those tiny red maple flowers. Summer was a bit troublesome as we attentively watered them to avoid that irritating crispy edge to the leaves that develops with the combination of dehydration and desiccating winds. Now we are on the cusp of glory as the first hints of colour in the leaves begin to show: the colder it gets, the brighter they will be. This is a really good variety for a small garden, especially as the centrepiece to a front entrance, one that will really perk up your postie. Full sunshine gives better colour,…

Plant Iris reticulata in pots Create a container of Iris reticulata for an impactful early-flowering display. The intricate, deep-purple flowers will reach a height of around 15cm as winter ends and spring begins. These bulbs will also grow well in rockeries, but in pots they make beautiful centrepieces that attract early bees. Use peat-free multi-purpose compost with a handful of grit added to each pot, and plant the bulbs 5-10cm apart and twice their own depth. Water them in, then add a final layer of grit so it just covers the compost. Position in a sunny, sheltered spot outside. Oil tool handles Apply linseed oil to the wooden handles of garden tools to stop them absorbing moisture. Make sure the tool is clean of dust and debris, and completely dry.…

Grow a moth orchid indoors Moth orchids are one of the easiest orchids to care for and can flower any month of the year, with a huge colour range to choose from. Place the plant somewhere warm, above 16°C in the winter and with some light; a windowsill is ideal. Move it out of direct sunlight in the summer when the sun is more intense and might scorch the leaves. Watering is easy. It should never sit in water because this plant grows on the bark of trees in its natural habitat, so while humidity is important, drainage is crucial. The compost should be loose and airy with bark the main constituent. It will also send out aerial roots, which you should allow to reach out beyond the pot. Mist…

Add new plants for bumblebees Get winter clematis, winter heather and winter honeysuckle in the ground now – these are early-flowering plants that benefit bumblebees whatever the weather. The nodding bell flowers of clematis protect the pollen and nectar inside the bloom, while the more robust honeysuckle and heather will withstand heavy rain. Plant now into warm soil to help them establish before temperatures fall. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot and water well. Young plants may not flower in their first year. Plant fruiting trees for birds Plant a tree now while the soil is warm and moist so it can establish before winter sets in. Whether you buy a container-grown or bare-root specimen, choose a fruiting one for birds. This will be a lasting legacy, providing a reliable, annual…

Check the pH level of your soil Test the pH of your soil to find out whether it is acidic or alkaline. This will help you choose plants suitable for your growing conditions or know the right soil additives to use to keep your plants healthy. The pH affects availability of nutrients to the plant, with the most obvious signs being plants showing yellowing between the veins of the youngest leaves when iron is unavailable. The best soil is one that is slightly acidic or has a neutral pH of 6.5-7, in which most plants will thrive. In alkaline soils, ericaceous plants such as azaleas will show the yellowing iron deficiency and won’t succeed for long, which can be a costly mistake. Soil in vegetable gardens that have regular doses…

Store ripe pumpkins and winter squashes Harvest pumpkins and other winter squashes on a bright, sunny day and leave them in the sun for 10 days for the skin to harden further, improving their storage time. You can leave them in a sunny spot on the patio if the weather is dry, or move them into a greenhouse or conservatory. After this, keep them in a cool, unheated place indoors out of direct sunlight. If you are not sure whether your pumpkins are ripe for harvesting, test and see by pressing the skin with your fingernail – it shouldn’t feel as though it will pierce. Harvest with some of the stalk still intact. Clear comfrey Tidy areas of comfrey now the leaves are dying back. Pull off all the decaying…

LOTS OF NEW VARIETIES Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for beautiful spring displays and Farmer Gracy is offering you 15% off its entire range of spring bulbs, from tulips and daffodils to alliums and much more. So, if you’ve been inspired by our bulbs in pots feature on p92, you’ll find most of the varieties at farmergracy.co.uk/springbulbs – and all orders are packed by hand in paper bags! ◼ Tulipa ‘El Niño’ Elegant flowers in flame-like shades of red, yellow and orange. Height x Spread 60cm x 15cm Flowers Apr-May 10 bulbs £7.90 £6.72 ◼ Muscari ‘Baby’s Breath’ A pale, baby-blue grape hyacinth (also known as ‘Jenny Robinson’). H x S 15cm x 5cm F Apr 15 bulbs £3.75 £3.19 ◼ Dutch iris ‘Lion King’ Stately gold and…

■ Grow them in containers that you can move between indoor and outdoor spaces, depending on the season. ■ Each variety will have its own needs for compost type and watering, so do some research before buying. ■ Typically plants that aren’t hardy are damaged by winter cold and wet. ■ Protect from frost, but some won’t survive even a mild winter outdoors. ■ Avoid overwatering. Barely moist compost will suit overwintering exotics. ■ Look for greenhouse pests such as scale insects and mealy bugs when plants are under cover. ■ Harden off exotic plants before placing them outside in summer. Start by taking them out in the day but bring them in every night.…

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Here at GW, our goal is simple: to provide expert, trusted advice and inspiration to gardeners – whenever and wherever they need us. Through all of this, we’re rooted in a set of core values that are at the heart of all we do: ✔ Dependable advice We equip everyone to get the very best from their plants and gardens. Our in-house gardening experts are trained to the highest standard and always deliver dependable know-how, making GW the go-to place for practical advice. ✔ Top gardening names We work with the best gardening writers and content creators in the business, including Gardeners’ World TV presenters and other high-profile names. Our content is world-class, with quality, impartiality and accuracy at its core. ✔ Every space counts We understand that gardens come in…

How many dahlias do you grow – two? Two dozen? Fancy a change, like to try something new? Well, over the last four years more than 200 new dahlia varieties have come on the market. 200! That’s a lot of dahlias. You’ll see the ‘New’ flashes on the specialist websites and catalogues. But which to try? With so many newcomers on the scene we need help to narrow the choice down to the very best. Fortunately, there’s a shortcut. Recently, the RHS grew 91 new dahlia varieties at its trial garden at RHS Wisley. Three plants of each variety were planted side by side in the open ground, and left in place over an usually cold and wet winter to test their hardiness. The plants were then assessed regularly for…

1 Moving water is a powerful force in any garden, helping to create atmosphere through sound. This could be as simple as adding a solar-powered fountain to an existing pond, or even to a bucket of water. If your budget allows, consider working with a water feature specialist who can design something bespoke. They’ll ensure the flow and tone of the water produce exactly the mood you want–whether that’s calming and meditative or lively and energising. 2 Harness the wind by choosing plants that sway and rustle, bringing your garden to life. Bamboo is fabulous for this and can be contained by an impermeable barrier to prevent it spreading. Ornamental grasses planted near the house will let you enjoy their movement and soft sound on warm, breezy days. 3 Choose…

! ASHLEY EDWARDS BARBARA SEGALL BECKY SEARLE HAFSAH HAFEJI JAMIE WALTON POLLYANNA WILKINSON Having worked as a community gardener for nearly five years, firstly in my home city of Leicester followed by Hammersmith Community Gardens and now at Spitalfields City Farm in London, it’s interesting to stand back and reassess what is happening with the movement now. The phrase ‘community garden’ is fairly new, but people have been growing food together for hundreds of years, evolving from the urgent need for food during times of crisis to a modern movement for sustainability and community building. In the UK, community gardens grew from allotments set up in cities to provide affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to the local area during World War Two. Similarly, in the US ‘victory gardens’ were created…

Plant daffodils in borders Plant some daffodil bulbs into your borders to fill gaps and provide spring colour among shrubs and other perennials. Daffodils grow well in sun or part-shade, so are ideal for mixing with other plants or even planting under deciduous shrubs. Well-drained soil is best. Plan to plant them in informal groups roughly 10-15cm apart. Space miniature daffodils as little as 3cm apart. Judge the height of the bulb and plant it to a depth that’s three times its height. Cover and firm the soil back over them. Look out for powdery mildew Check for white powdery deposits on leaves that indicate a mildew infection. Annuals, such as this calendula, some shrubs, and perennials such as monarda and veronica may be susceptible. If you see it, snip…

STEP BY STEP Plant cyclamen corms now Start cyclamen corms into growth, ready for flowering around Christmas. Dormant plants can be restarted now or new corms put into pots. Place them out of direct sunlight, in a cool position – a north- or east-facing windowsill is ideal. Water into a saucer to keep the rootball moist while it grows. Move pelargoniums indoors Transfer potted pelargoniums indoors for the winter. Take off all dead leaves and thin them out by removing wispy shoots to maximise the amount of light and air getting to the plant. Take off all the flowers and trim to a manageable shape. New flowers will appear in a few days with a bit of fresh new growth too. Place it in a light position such as a…

Repair lawn edges and bare patches Check your lawns and repair any parts where the edges have been trodden down or the grass has died. October is ideal for this because the ground is still warm for rooting back in and germination where seeding is needed in bare patches. The weather is likely to be damp too, so after the initial work, little watering is necessary. Water more if the weather is dry, otherwise pieces of cut turf will shrink. Repairing in thin strips rarely works well because the edge will be vulnerable. Instead, turn around a larger piece of turf to provide a stronger edge that will be less likely to tip or break, particularly as you tend to stand right at the edge to admire a border or…

What is a tree? To you and me it might be a focal point in the garden, a source of shade and privacy, a provider of fruit or even a gift to future generations. To wildlife it could be home, shelter, a breeding site and something that supplies essential food. To the wider environment, a tree is an essential cog in an ecosystem that sustains life for all. It’s part of a community that shares information via a network of fungi and roots. It absorbs and stores water, helping to prevent flooding. It feeds the soil and protects it from erosion, while cleaning the air, removing harmful toxins so we can all breathe more easily. It buffers wind, enabling other plants to grow and insects to feed from those plants,…

BEST BUY Best plastic rake Spear & Jackson Neverbend plastic leaf rake £43.99 Well made and light with a wide plastic head that flexes perfectly to grab and gather leaves. A large solid area at the base makes scooping them up easier. The aluminium shaft is a comfortable length and has a longer-than-most cushioned grip. The most expensive plastic rake in our test, but it’s sturdy and strong and has a 15-year warranty. Best budget buy Town & Country extra large leaf rake £12.99 This simple rake is light, with a wide head that grabs lots of leaves efficiently and easily. The head also slots off, which makes scooping leaves into your barrow or bag a breeze, while also making it simple to store. It’s excellent value and made from…

Sow indoors Plant/sow outdoors Harvest Visit GardenersWorld.com/what-to-do-now for more advice on the best crops to sow and plant this month, and how to do it AUTUMN ONION AND GARLIC COLLECTION Sow onion sets and garlic cloves now to ensure you get a delicious harvest next spring/summer. Collection includes: ◼ 250g red onion Akado ◼ 250g white onion ‘Shakespeare’ ◼ 20 cloves garlic ‘Germidour’ ◼ 20 cloves garlic ‘Messidrome’ Scan QR code to buy and for more great deals FREE P&P ◼ 1 x Autumn Onion and Garlic Collection ONLY £17.99 PLUS FREE P&P premierseedsdirect.com/OCTGWFP enter code OCTGWFP at checkout for FREE P&P Offer closes 14 November 2025. Subject to availability. Delivery to UK only (note we cannot deliver to NI). Full T&Cs at premierseedsdirect.com…

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There are gardening conventions and rules that most of us tend to obey as though this is a measure of knowledge and experience. Not many of us deliberately buck horticultural trends and traditions just to see what will happen. It has to be said that this is mainly because they are based on the accumulated wisdom and experience of centuries, which are, in turn, based on the rhythms of nature. The days get longer and warmer in spring, so we sow and grow, and then they become shorter and colder in autumn and winter, so we harvest and protect. The bleeding obvious just about covers it. But things are becoming less obvious. The old rules do not apply as well. The seasons are becoming blurred and, quite frankly, a bit…

BENEFITS Offer of the month Nandina ‘Fire Power’ SAVE UP TO £20 YEAR-ROUND COLOUR Nandina domestica ‘Fire Power’ is a compact, neat and upright shrub with bright, lush foliage all year round. The leaves change from yellow-green to orange then deep purple-red in autumn, making a vibrant focal point through winter too. It also provides white summer blossom followed by red berries. Low maintenance, hardy and drought tolerant, it thrives in sun or partial shade. Its compact habit means it won’t outgrow its space and is perfect for containers as well as borders, giving structure and colour long after many other plants have faded. Pairs well with ornamental grasses or evergreens. Whether you’re looking to brighten up a dull corner or add a striking seasonal display, Nandina ‘Fire Power’ delivers…

Trustpilot EXCELLENT Imagine your garden awash with the elegant, sculptural beauty of the ‘Essential Allium Mix’. A breathtaking blend of purple, white, and pink globes that dance in the breeze. Their slender stems create a sense of movement, while their bold, spherical blooms add a touch of drama to borders, beds, and cutting gardens alike. These alliums stand as nature’s fireworks, bursting into bloom from late spring through to summer, inviting bees and butterflies to share in their splendour. Resilient and easy to grow, they thrive in sun-drenched spots with well-drained soil, needing little attention yet rewarding you year after year. Deer and rabbits turn away, but you and your pollinators will be utterly enchanted. For a garden that whispers elegance and blooms with effortless beauty, this allium mix is…

Reduce the height of roses Once bush roses have finished flowering, prune them by between one-third and a half. Cutting them back will reduce the risk of them being rocked in windy weather through autumn and winter, which can loosen the roots and as a result can affect the health of the plants. Use secateurs and cut the whole plant back to the same height, then shred or chop up the prunings and put them on the compost heap. Check the plant’s leaves too and remove any showing signs of fungal disease – bin them, rather than composting, to help prevent reinfection next year. Take out any dead rose stems Check all your rose bushes for dead stems and cut these back to healthy growth. It’s easier to notice dead…

2026 Spring Starts Here! Trustpilot EXCELLENT MIX AND MATCH ON ALL BULBS “CHEAPEST BAG FREE” These statuesque flowers with tufted, leafy crowns seem to assert their right to adorn gardens from March through to June each year. Eager to naturalise these colourful and exotic looking fritillaries will draw pollinators in for a feast and are also a perfect addition to a vase or bouquet. Compliment the look by adding tulips with our mix and match 3 for 2 offer. ● Hardy to -20°C ● Great for pots or borders ● Low maintenance Rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 18,000 reviews Need advice? Our helpful team will resolve your query Get in touch: Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm 01386 562 999 customercare@hayloft.co.uk Your bulbs will be delivered to your door in 7 days…

Move succulents undercover Bring in succulents that have spent the summer outside and are vulnerable to damage from cold winter temperatures or could rot in a wet winter. Check them over and pull off any leaves that have withered under the rosette of leaves. Check for bugs that will thrive in the warmth of the greenhouse – you don’t want to introduce any at this stage – and pick off any that you see. Clean dust off the pots with a brush and dress the compost surface with clean grit. DON’T FORGET □ Pot up freesia corms for fragrant indoor flowers, planting five bulbs to a 12cm pot □ Attach layers of bubblewrap to the inside of greenhouse glazing to improve insulation □ Plant Iris reticulata in pots for a…

Undemanding and easy to grow, this cheery selection of fragrant narcissus is bound to put a big smile on your face next spring. An exciting collection of four popular varieties brings a range of colours and flower forms that will brighten up borders, rockeries and patio containers. Collection includes: ◼ Narcissus ‘Martinette’ Showy sprays of delicate yellow flowers with little orange trumpets. Height x Spread 30cm x 10cm  Flowers Mar-Apr ◼ Narcissus ‘Niveth’ A beautiful white variety with broad petals that sit behind a flared trumpet. H x S 50cm x 20cm F Mar-Apr ◼ Narcissus ‘Golden Dawn’ A cup-shaped daffodil that produces up to three flowers on each stem.  H x S 45cm x 10cm F Apr-May ◼ Narcissus ‘Tête-a-Tête’ A much-loved miniature variety. H x S 20cm x…

Small and medium gardens ■ Dwarf serviceberry (Amelanchier spicata) Height x Spread 3m x 2m Space saving columnar habit, white blossom and bright autumn colour. Drought and wind tolerant ■ Tartarian maple (Acer tataricum) H x S 6m x 6m Often multi stemmed with small flowers and good autumn colour. Drought, wind and pollution tolerant. ■ Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) H x S 5m x 6m Early yellow flowers, cherry-like fruits, and purple leaves in autumn. Drought and wind tolerant and thrives in a range of growing conditions. ■ Pride of India (Koelreuteria paniculata ‘Fastigiata’) H x S 6m x 4m Space saving columnar form. Autumn colour and pollinator-friendly flowers. Heat and drought tolerant. ■ Frosted thorn (Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia Splendens') H x S 4.5m x 4m Nectar-rich flowers, great…

■ Most dahlias love to be in full sun to perform at their best. ■ Grow them in free-draining but moist soil, adding lots of organic matter to the soil and paying attention to watering needs. ■ You can also grow dahlias in containers. Choose a compact variety and provide a generous pot. ■ Steve leaves his most robust dahlias in the ground over winter, covering the soil with thick organic mulch. He only waters them in their first year. ■ Tall varieties need staking. ■ For winter survival in cooler, wetter conditions than Kent has, dig up tubers and overwinter indoors. ■ Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, clearing away debris where they hide and checking for them regularly. ■ Look out for crown gall and throw…

✔ Harvest cabbages as and when you need them, choosing the largest first and giving smaller specimens a couple more weeks of growing. Grab some carrots and an onion to make a coleslaw or simply serve steamed with butter and toasted caraway seeds. ✔ Compost spent squash plants. Squashes such as pumpkins and courgettes may be coming to an end now and, after you have harvested all fruits, the spent plant can be put on the compost heap. That way, they will make new food for the plants that, in turn, grow new food for us! ✔ Pick chillies. Chillies aren’t keen on the dropping temperatures, so pick all that are left on the plants and string them together before hanging them up inside to dry. Using a needle and thread,…

Q Could planting bamboos give me more privacy in this shady spot? Richard Bromley, North Aberdeenshire A MATT SAYS It would be a shame to hide the dry-stone wall and ‘borrowed’ landscape, as both add a valuable dimension. Attach fencing of natural materials like low woven oak, willow or hazel panels to posts in front of the wall, or behind if permitted. The height should be enough to screen your garden, but retain as much of the view as possible while leaving the wall exposed. Cover the panels with climbers that are vigorous and suit the rural setting, like Clematis rehderiana, with bell-shaped yellow flowers from midsummer to early autumn, Lonicera periclymenum ‘Heaven Scent’, bearing pale pink buds and yellow and cream flowers from summer to early autumn, or Lonicera x…