Allotment & Gardening in October: Autumn’s Abundance and Preparation

October brings shorter days, cooler air, and a real sense that autumn is here. For gardeners and allotment holders it is a month of transition. While there is still plenty to harvest, it is also the time to clear, prepare, and set things in motion for the year ahead.

Harvest Time

Many crops are ready for gathering, providing rich flavours and a sense of reward for the year’s work.

Vegetables: pumpkins, squash, leeks, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, beetroot, parsnips and autumn cauliflower. Fruit: apples, pears, medlars and late raspberries.

Root crops like carrots and beetroot can be lifted and stored. Pumpkins and squash should be harvested before the first frosts, leaving a short stem attached to help them store well.

Jobs to Tackle This Month at the Allotment

October is about tidying up and preparing for the colder months ahead.

• Clear away spent plants and compost them to keep plots clean and free of pests.

• Plant garlic, onion sets and overwintering broad beans.

• Lift tender crops such as dahlias before the frost blackens them. Store tubers in a cool, dry place.

• Mulch beds with compost or well-rotted manure to feed the soil for next year.

• Rake fallen leaves regularly to prevent lawns from suffocating and add them to a leaf mould pile.

Flowers and Pollinators

October may feel quieter in the flower garden, but there is still colour to enjoy. Hardy chrysanthemums, asters and late roses continue to brighten borders.

This is also the perfect time to plant spring bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and crocuses, ensuring a vibrant display when winter finally fades.

Looking Ahead

With winter close, October is the month to look both back and forward.

• Protect young plants with cloches or fleece if frost threatens.

• Net brassicas against hungry pigeons.

• Take notes on successes and failures from the season to guide your planning for spring.

Final Thoughts

October is a month of change in the garden. Harvests are gathered in, beds are tidied, and preparations are laid for the year to come. By making time for both clearing and planning, you can step into winter with confidence and look forward to fresh growth in spring.

October Community Challenge: Plant for Spring

Set your individual plot up for a vibrant, productive spring before winter arrives. The Goal: Plant at least one row of overwintering garlic or onion sets, alongside a cluster of spring bulbs (like crocuses or daffodils) near your plot entrance or border.  

Why do it: Garlic takes advantage of winter cold to split into cloves, while early spring bulbs attract essential pollinators to your plot the moment temperatures warm up.  

Share your progress: Share a photo of your newly planted bed layout or seed markers on the UKSN Facebook Group or WhatsApp Community chat.