October: Plant Now for Resilience
October is a real pivot point in the year. The garden is slowing down, but there’s still plenty you can do now that will save effort later. Think of it as “future-proofing” — a few small jobs this month can set you up for years of easy harvests and less firefighting.
🛠 Jobs for October (low-maintenance focus)
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Plant bulbs for pollinators. Drop in nectar-rich bulbs like Crocus tommasinianus (bees in February will thank you) or Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ (great for May colour and pollinator draw). Plant once, enjoy for years.
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Mulching window has opened but I'd leave it until spring — Mulching is the key to healthy soil and keeping weeds suppressed. It also locks in moisture, so wait for a good soaking before you spread your mulch. Don’t worry if you don’t get to it — spring, just after cutting back, is often more practical. In the Self-Sustaining Garden course I give you the full breakdown of all the mulch options, as well as how to source it for free!
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Leave structure standing. The hollow stems of fennel, teasel, or echinacea look good in low light and provide winter homes for ladybirds and lacewings. Resist the urge to “tidy.”
🌿 Plant Spotlight: Ugni molinae (Chilean guava)
A favourite of mine for family gardens: compact, evergreen, and covered in aromatic little berries that taste like strawberries and spice. It’s hardy enough for most UK gardens (down to about –10 °C) and doesn’t ask for much. Perfect for tucking into an ornamental border where it earns its keep with both looks and flavour. They ripen slowly so don't judge them on colour, leave them on the bush for a while and keep sampling!
🪴 A note from my garden
My own garden isn’t picture-perfect but it works. It feeds us, gives us colour through the year, and takes very little time to maintain, because I manage it efficiently with timely mulching and well-considered planting.
That’s the kind of gardening I believe in — spaces that look good, grow food, and still leave you time for life.
📖 Want to explore more?
- I have loads of free resources here
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If you’re new to this approach, the Beginner Gardener’s Mini-Course (30 mins) is a good first step.
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For inspiration beyond bulbs and basics, the Edimentals booklet is full of unusual plants that are both beautiful and edible.
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And if weeds are your main battle, my 30 Plants to Beat the Weeds guide will show you how to fill space before weeds take over.
👉 Browse all free and paid resources here
Wishing you an outdoorsy October,
Mike
Garden Footprint
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