What to Plant in October: Autumn Planting & Gardening Jobs

October is one of the best months for planting. Bulbs, garlic and winter pots all go in during this month. Plus, autumn planting gives roots a head start before spring rolls around. If you are worried about dreary garden borders and looking for tips on what to buy, this guide is for you. From finding what to plant in October in the UK to learning how to get it in the ground properly and the other factors that keep your garden ready for next year, you will read about it all below.

Key Takeaways

• You still have time to plant. October is great for planting because the soil retains the warmth from the summer months. Just avoid frozen or waterlogged ground for autumn planting in the UK.
• Bulbs and garlic are the main gardening jobs in October, and both go straight into the ground. You can leave tulips as an autumn garden job for November.
• You can’t go wrong with potted plants to plant in October. Pansies, violas and cyclamen keep colour alive in your garden even if the borders start to fade.
• Bare-root plants are worth planning for October. Order perennials and hedging now for the dormant planting season, usually from late autumn to early spring. Some plants may be suitable for earlier autumn planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
• When you work on what to sow in October, do it well. How deep you plant and a proper watering routine matter more than speed. Spend a few extra minutes on caring now, and it will save a lot of fuss later.

Is October Too Late to Plant?

While some people think October is too late to plant, the reality is that it isn't. In fact, October is the perfect time to plant certain plants and carry out other autumn gardening jobs. The soil still holds summer warmth, and autumn rain does a lot of the watering for you. The RHS says this combination helps roots settle in, so plants can push out stronger growth once spring arrives.

You do need to pick your day for October gardening jobs, though. A few quick checks, including the ones below, will tell you whether to dig up the ground for flowers and vegetables to plant in October or wait.

What are good days to plant?

When the soil is damp but crumbly. If you can dig the soil without much fuss, it is a good sign for planting.

What are the days to wait before autumn planting?

Wait if the ground is frozen or sitting in puddles. The RHS also says spring can suit perennials better in very wet, heavy clay gardens.

What to do with plants that have just arrived?

If your plants have just arrived, unpack them promptly and check their condition. Plant them as soon as the soil and weather conditions are suitable. If planting needs to wait, follow the storage instructions for that particular type of plant.

Here's a simple test. If you can dig it, you can plant it.

The October Autumn Planting Shortlist

This table answers most queries on what to plant in October in the UK pretty well. You can also find most of the main choices on our range of outdoor plants, which makes it easy for you to pick and order flowers to plant in October.

The sections below cover each listing in more detail.

Spring Bulbs: Plant Now, Enjoy the Colour Next Spring

Spring bulbs are the main October job for next spring's colour. You put them in now; forget about them for a while, and they will flower just when the garden needs cheering up.

Which bulbs to pick

• Daffodils and narcissus: these are classic choices and are easy for beginners. Browse the daffodils and narcissus options at Carbeth Plants to compare.
• Crocus and muscari: these small varieties suit pot edges and the front of a border.
• Hyacinths and alliums: both of these are popular garden jobs for autumn. You can enjoy scented spikes from hyacinths and ball- or star-shaped flower heads from alliums such as Red Mohican, Moly and Cowanii when they flower.
• Tulips: You can plant tulips in November, so hold those back a few weeks.

It is suggested that you get daffodils, crocus and hyacinths in the ground by the end of September. If yours are still in the bag, plant them anyway. Late ones may not flower as well, but that beats letting them dry out.

How deep to plant bulbs?

Plant each one at two to three times its own height. Keep the pointed end up. Throw away the ones that feel soft or look mouldy before they go in the soil.

Bulbs in pots

Pots work well, too. You can layer different bulbs in one pot for a longer display, then water them well afterwards.

Garlic and Onion Sets: The Quiet Crops You Plant Now

Garlic and onion sets are among the best vegetables to plant in October in the UK. They mostly get on with things over winter. Garlic also forms good bulbs in a cold spell.

• Garlic varieties: you can plant Cristo, Germidour Pink and Marco, plus a mixed pack and elephant garlic. Have a look at our garlic bulbs range.
• How to plant: split the head into cloves and set each one pointed end up. Leave about 15 cm between cloves. Plant the tip just below the surface.
• Where to plant: pick a sunny, free-draining spot. If your soil is still mostly soggy even after days or weeks, grow the garlic in pots instead.
• Onion sets: our onion sets come in several varieties, but only some suit the colder months. Check each listing before you buy.

You can still grow onions and garlic even if you only have a small plot. Both fit into a corner or a raised bed, and garlic copes happily in a large pot.

Pots and Baskets That Still Look Good in Winter

Pansies, violas and cyclamen are the quickest way to fill pots and baskets in October. Our autumn bedding plants are perfect for planting from late summer to early autumn.

• Pansies and violas: cheerful flowers for pots, baskets and border gaps. Both are good gardening jobs for October.
• Cyclamen: these sit pretty in pots by the front door. Check the label for frost hardiness before you put them outside.
• Polyanthus and primroses: these types of plants bring early colour and texture that carries you towards next year's spring. They also sit happily next to pansies in a mixed pot.
• Wallflowers: these scented flowers are good partners for tulips that bloom later on. You can tuck a few of these into a border planting hole.
• Calluna heather: it likes acidic soil, so read the label first.

Whatever type of plant pot you choose, use one that has drainage holes. If plant roots sit in water for weeks, they tend to sulk.

Bare-Root Plants: Order Now, Plant When the Soil Is Ready

Bare-root plants are sold dormant, without any pot or soil. At Carbeth Plants, we carry bare-root perennials and bare-root hedging for planting from late autumn to early spring. Most bare-root hedging is planted from November to March, while the best planting time for bare-root perennials can vary by species. October is a useful time to plan and order suitable varieties, although some plants can be planted earlier when conditions allow.

• Peonies: big blooms for sunny borders.
• Lupins and hollyhocks: tall, cottage-garden spikes.
• Echinacea and agapanthus: daisy-like flowers and rounded heads.
• Astilbe and alchemilla: soft plumes and frothy green edging.
• Kniphofia and armeria: red hot pokers and low tufts for edges.

When they arrive, unpack them straight away and keep the roots moist. Dry roots can kill a plant quickly. If the ground is frozen, wait before planting. Store them somewhere cool and frost-free with the roots covered until the soil softens.

Planting Day Done Properly: Soil, Digging and Aftercare

You can ensure a good autumn planting with just six small jobs that are done in the right order. Don't rush them, as it can cause new plants to struggle. Do them well, and roots settle quickly.

1. Check your plants: Look for healthy leaves and roots. Skip any bulbs that feel soft.
2. Prepare your soil: Dig over compacted ground and avoid frozen or waterlogged patches. For pots, fill them with fresh compost from our garden compost and soil range.
3. Soak potted plants: Leave them in a bucket of water for at least 10 minutes before they go in.
4. Get the level right: Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and plant at the appropriate depth for the type of plant. Most potted plants should sit at the same soil level as they did in their original pot. Bulbs and bare-root perennials have different planting-depth requirements, so always check their individual instructions. 
5. Firm in and water: Press the soil down gently, then water the plant well in the morning or evening.
6. Add mulch: A layer of mulch around the plant holds moisture in. Keep it clear of the stem, and don't mulch frozen or dry soil.

Evergreen plants can still need water in winter, so check them during dry spells.

October Jobs That Protect What You Already Grow

Planting is only half of October gardening jobs. The other half involves looking after the plants you already have.

• Move tender plants: bring them into a greenhouse or conservatory that is frost-free. Plants that stay outside may need fleece on cold nights.
• Divide crowded perennials: lift and divide plants that flower poorly or have become overcrowded.
• Leave some stems and seedheads: they shelter wildlife through winter.
• Collect seed: gather it from ripe seedheads and store it somewhere dry for next year's growing season.
• Protect young plants: netting and plant protection can shield them from birds and rough weather.

Spend A Few Hours Now and Set Up Your Garden for Spring

Autumn is a good time to plant, and October is a good month to do so. Get the bulbs and garlic in, refill a few pots, and order bare-root plants for later. That bit of autumn planting can give you colour and crops come spring.

Browse our range at Carbeth Plants to find spring-flowering bulbs, garlic and autumn bedding plants suited to your garden. Whether you're filling a few pots or planning next year's borders, choose plants that match your space, soil and growing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good time to plant in October, and can I plant anything?

Yes. October is a good time to plant because the soil still holds summer warmth and rain helps roots settle. You can plant spring bulbs, garlic and pots of pansies and violas this month. Bare-root perennials and hedging follow from late in the season. Skip planting on days when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. If you're unsure, start with bulbs and garlic, as these are happy in most free-draining beds.

Which plants are best planted in autumn?

Spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocus and alliums go in now, and so does garlic. Bare-root perennials like peonies, lupins and echinacea are better planted later, from the end of the season to early spring. Bare-root hedging follows the same window. Check each product listing for its own planting notes, because timing varies from plant to plant. If you only have room for one thing, bulbs are the easiest place to start, since they need little care once they're in the ground.

What flowers bloom through winter, and when should I plant them?

Pansies, violas, cyclamen, polyanthus and heather are the usual picks for winter. Spring bulbs planted now, like daffodils and crocus, won't flower this year. They will brighten the garden next spring, though, so they're well worth planting now. Plant a few into the same pots as your bedding to make the most of the space.

Which vegetables can I plant in autumn and winter?

Garlic and onion sets are good vegetables for this time of year. Garlic goes in the soil from October, about 15cm apart, with the tip just below the surface in sunny, free-draining soil. Only some onion sets suit the colder months, so check each listing before you buy. If your soil stays wet over winter, grow garlic in pots. It is the safer option.

What can I plant in pots for autumn and winter in the UK?

Pansies, violas, cyclamen, polyanthus, primroses and calluna heather are all suitable for growing in pots. You can also layer spring bulbs like daffodils and crocus in a pot for colour later on. Use pots with drainage holes and fresh compost and organic matter, and don't let them sit in water. Check each label for frost hardiness, and move tender pots under cover if a hard frost is expected to hit. You can use a saucer under each pot, but make sure to empty it after rain so the roots don't stay soaked for days.

When should I plant tulips and other spring bulbs?

Daffodils, crocus and hyacinths are best planted in the soil by the end of September. Hardy alliums should go in during September or October. November is the ideal time to plant tulips. If you're past the best date, plant them anyway after throwing out any that are soft or mouldy. Late bulbs may flower less well, but that is still better than leaving them to dry out. Plant each one at two to three times its own height, pointed end up.

Can I plant bare-root plants in October?

Some bare-root perennials can be planted in October, depending on the species, their dormancy and the growing conditions. Most bare-root hedging is planted during dormancy, generally from November to March. October is a good time to plan and order ahead, but you don't always need to wait until November to plant. When bare-root plants arrive, unpack them promptly and keep the roots moist. Plant as soon as conditions are suitable, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground. Always check the planting guidance for the particular variety.