Mid-spring, October is a busy gardening month sitting right on the cusp of the perfect temperature. Especially with all the rain we have had this year it will be nice to see the sun come out again. Here are three garden tasks to look at doing this October:
#1 Plant dahlias
Planting dahlias now will bring some wow factor to your summer garden!
With so many flower types and colours to choose from, there’s a dahlia for every garden style. Plus, they make gorgeous cut flowers for your home.
When planting, give them plenty of sun and well-drained soil that you’ve improved with compost.
Cover and protect the surrounding soil with sugar cane mulch and remember to stake the taller varieties so they stay upright and stunning!
#2 Pamper your roses
Roses are blooming, which means it’s the perfect time to give them some extra attention to keep them performing at their best.
Start by giving their roots a regular deep drink, especially as the weather warms up.
Give them a good feed with organic fertiliser, too, and top it off with a layer of sugar cane mulch to help lock in the moisture.
Don’t forget to deadhead spent blooms to encourage a quick succession of buds and keep an eye out for any pesky aphids – you can control them with a soap spray.
#3 Hill potatoes
Be sure to give your potato plants some love. Hill them up as they grow, mounding a mix of compost and sugar cane mulch around the base of the plants. This helps cover any developing tubers that might be peeking through the soil.
When they’re exposed to sunlight, the potatoes turn green making them bitter and unsafe to eat.
