October is a month of winding down and preparing the plot for winter — but there’s still plenty you can sow and plant.

What to sow and plant in October

• Sow overwintering broad beans. They’ll establish before the cold sets in and give you a head start next spring.
• Peas such as Douce Provence or Meteor can be sown under cover. They can be sown outside too, but only in mild areas where frost risk is low.
• Plant out spring cabbages, giving them time to root in before winter.
• Autumn onion sets and garlic cloves can go in now — they love the cool soil and will grow steadily over winter.
• Plant fruit trees and bushes, or pot up new ones. This is the perfect time while the soil is still warm and moist.
• Take cuttings of gooseberries and currants — they root well at this time of year.
• Green manures can still be sown until mid‑month. They protect bare soil, suppress weeds and add nutrients when dug in later.

What to do in October

• Cut back the dying tops of Jerusalem artichokes to ground level. The tubers can stay in the soil until you’re ready to lift them.
• Cut back asparagus foliage once it turns brown, then mulch the crowns to protect them over winter.
• Remove yellowing leaves on Brussels sprouts to improve airflow and reduce disease.
• Clear plant debris from beds and borders. This helps prevent pests and diseases overwintering in the soil.
• Mulch under fruit trees and bushes — it helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and protect roots from winter cold.
• When clearing old pea and bean plants, simply cut off the tops and leave the roots in the soil. They contain nitrogen‑fixing nodules that slowly release nutrients back into the earth — a natural fertiliser for next year’s crops.