October Planting Guide
As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the days grow shorter, October marks the beginning of the bare-root planting season for fruit trees, shrubs, and a variety of plants. To make the most of this season, selecting the right garden hand trowel is crucial for tackling the diverse tasks that come with planting in cooler and sometimes tougher soil conditions.
In this article, we will discuss the best garden hand trowels for October planting, focusing on durability, comfort, and precision. Among the top recommendations, the DeWit Forged Hand Trowel and the Small Hand Flower Trowel stand out as reliable choices for general digging, root cutting, and precise planting, respectively.
The DeWit Forged Hand Trowel, with its high-quality, sharpened steel head and robust ash hardwood handle sourced from eco-responsible FSC-certified forests, is designed to cut through roots, dig through tough soil, and banish weeds effectively. Measuring 12"L x 3"W and weighing 0.6 lbs, this trowel offers good balance and control, making it a durable and reliable choice for October garden work. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is praised for its reliability in customer reviews.
If your planting involves tight spaces such as containers or raised beds, a small hand flower trowel with a tapered blade and compact size can be ideal for precise planting and transplanting. These trowels are forged from high-quality sheet steel and are designed for maneuverability in restricted growing spaces.
In summary, for planting in October—which involves sowing hardy annuals, perennials, and preparing beds with tougher soil—the DeWit Forged Hand Trowel is highly recommended for its durability and effectiveness in diverse garden tasks. The smaller flower trowel complements it well when working in confined spaces or transplanting delicate seedlings.
Now that you have the right tool for the job, let's explore some of the best plants to sow and plant in October.
Greenhouses and cold frames can be valuable at this time of year for protecting plants from frost and heavy rain. When planting, cloches and fleece may be needed to protect crops from frost. Some varieties of allium work well in pots of peat-free, multi-purpose compost, and there's a huge range of alliums to choose from, with small to large flowerheads, in colors from white to pink, yellow, and purple.
Garlic cloves planted in autumn will grow roots before winter and crop by early summer. Onions can be planted as sets now, choosing varieties like 'Radar'. Peas can be sown for an early crop next spring, while broad beans sown in October will germinate and put on some growth before entering winter dormancy, and will provide an early spring harvest.
Spring bulbs can still be planted in October, including tulips in well-drained soil, in a sunny, sheltered spot in the border or in a container filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost. Salad mixes, including mizuna and pak choi, can be sown for an early crop of fresh salad leaves in March.
Hardy annual phacelia is a great plant for bees and other pollinators, while wallflowers planted out now will bloom in early spring. Sow corncockle seeds outside in spring, or sow them into pots or seed trays of peat-free seed compost, and keep them over winter in a cold frame for late spring blooms.
Cowslips (Primula veris) are tough perennials that do best in a partially shady spot near water, while magnolias have shallow roots, so you don't need to dig a very deep hole for them. Prepare the soil thoroughly, then dig a square hole, hammer in a tree stake, and position the crab apple tree.
October is also a suitable time for sowing hardy annual flowers, bedding plants, and vegetable crops like onions, garlic, broad beans, and peas. Bare-root blackberries can be planted between October and March, while rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) has several species, most of which have red berries, but some which have yellow or pink berries.
In conclusion, October is an exciting time for gardeners, offering a wide range of planting opportunities. With the right hand trowel, such as the DeWit Forged Hand Trowel or the Small Hand Flower Trowel, you can ensure that your gardening tasks are carried out efficiently and effectively. Happy planting!
- To beautify your home-and-garden during the autumn season, consider sowing hardy annual phacelia and wallflowers, as they attract bees and other pollinators and bloom in early spring.
- For those looking to enhance their lifestyle by growing their own produce, October presents a perfect opportunity to plant garlic cloves, onions, peas, broad beans, and even spring bulbs like tulips in preparation for an early summer or spring harvest.
