With October upon us, the garden is really starting to come alive. The days are getting longer, the soil is warming up and there's plenty to be getting on with in the garden. It's one of my favourite times of the year, as we start preparing for the warmer months ahead and look forward to harvesting our own homegrown vegetables.
October is a great month to get stuck into sowing seeds and planting out seedlings. There's plenty we can grow now, although here in Tasmania we still need to be mindful of those cooler nights and the risk of frost, particularly when it comes to our more tender summer crops.
What to Sow and Plant in October
There is plenty to get growing this month, with beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, silverbeet, spring onions and herbs all good options for planting out. If you're starting from seed, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, lettuce, leeks and peas can all be sown directly into the garden.
When sowing carrots and parsnips, I recommend sprinkling a little seed-raising mix along the rows before sowing. It creates a finer, lighter surface for the seeds to germinate in and helps maintain consistent moisture around these small seeds, improving the chances of successful germination. Keep the rows moist while waiting for seedlings to emerge, as both crops can take a little time to get going.
It's also time to start thinking about our summer vegetables. Zucchini, pumpkins, squash, beans and sweetcorn can all be sown now, provided the soil is warm enough. I always recommend planting sweetcorn in blocks rather than long rows, as this helps with pollination and gives you a better chance of a good crop.
For those wanting to grow cucumbers, capsicums, chillies and eggplants, it's worth keeping them protected while temperatures are still a little unpredictable. You can start them off under cover and gradually introduce them to the outdoors as conditions improve.
As always, good soil preparation makes a big difference. I like to work plenty of compost through the garden beds before planting, giving everything a good start and helping retain moisture as the weather warms up.
Tomatoes: Getting Ready for Summer
Tomatoes are always a favourite in the edible garden, and October is the time to start getting organised for the season ahead. We have a great range of Harmony Grown, chemical-free tomato seedlings, including some interesting heirloom varieties, all grown here at Harmony.
While it's tempting to get them straight into the garden, I tend to hold off until the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. Here in Tasmania, planting tomato after Show Day is a good guide for growing outdoors, although conditions can vary from year to year.
Tomatoes love plenty of sunshine, ideally around eight hours a day, and a well-prepared soil with good drainage. When planting, don't be afraid to bury the stem a little deeper, as tomatoes will develop additional roots along the buried section, helping establish a stronger plant.
If you're short on space, tomatoes grow particularly well in large pots, provided they have enough room for their roots, regular watering and a good position in the sun. With a little preparation now, you'll be well on your way to enjoying fresh tomatoes over summer.
New-Season Citrus Has Arrived
Our new-season citrus has arrived at Harmony, and we'll be busy filling the shelves over the weekend, with all varieties expected to be out and available by Monday. Lemons, limes and mandarins are always popular, and there's nothing quite like picking your own citrus straight from the tree.
October is a good time to plant citrus as the soil begins to warm and trees can establish before the heat of summer. Choose a sunny, sheltered position with good drainage and prepare the soil with some quality compost. Citrus also grow well in large pots, making them a great option for smaller gardens and courtyards.
Once planted, keep them well watered while they establish and apply a quality citrus fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. With the right care, they'll reward you with plenty of fruit for years to come.
Top Jobs for October in the Garden
October is a busy month in the garden, with spring growth well underway and plenty to do before the warmer weather sets in. It's a good time to get on top of a few jobs now to give your garden the best start for summer.
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Feed your lawn: Apply a quality spring lawn fertiliser to encourage fresh green growth and help your lawn recover after winter.- We love Sudden impact for Lawns!!!
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Set codling moth traps: Hang traps in apple and pear trees to monitor codling moth activity before the first flight.
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Plant new-season colour: Freshen up pots, hanging baskets and garden beds with petunias, impatiens, marigolds and other summer annuals.
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Plant citrus: Establish new-season lemons, limes and mandarins while the soil is warming. Our new-season citrus has arrived, with all varieties expected to be available by Monday.
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Prune spring-flowering shrubs: Once flowering has finished, lightly prune plants such as flowering Protea and Camellia to maintain their shape and encourage fresh growth.
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Watch for aphids: Keep an eye on roses, maples and new vegetable growth. Treat early with eco-oil or insecticidal soap where necessary, following label directions.
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Get your tomatoes started: Sow seeds under cover or grow seedlings on in pots, ready for planting outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.
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Mulch garden beds: Apply pea straw, sugar cane mulch or WhoFlungDung to help retain moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil health.
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Feed roses: Apply a quality rose fertiliser to encourage strong new growth and support flowering throughout the season.- We love sudden impact for Roses !!
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Check irrigation systems: Turn on your irrigation and check for blocked drippers, leaks and damaged fittings before the warmer weather increases watering requirements.
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Control weeds: Remove emerging weeds before they establish and compete with your plants for moisture and nutrients.
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Plant summer bulbs: Get dahlias crowns into the ground for colour later in the season.
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Divide perennials: Lift and divide suitable established perennials that have finished flowering or are becoming overcrowded, and replant into well-prepared soil.
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Stake and support plants: Put supports in place for peas, beans, tomatoes and taller flowering plants before they become too large.
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Refresh pots and containers: Top up potting mix, check drainage and apply a controlled-release fertiliser to established container plants.
October is all about getting the garden established and preparing for the warmer months ahead. A little time spent on soil preparation, feeding, mulching and planting now will make a big difference to how your garden performs over summer.