Scape Easy are your local landscape gardeners in Sheffield. October is the perfect time to plant and sow, and we’re here for you.
October is a fantastic month for landscape gardeners, offering plenty of opportunities to plant and sow. The cooler air signals the arrival of autumn, but with the soil still holding warmth, many crops and plants can establish well now.
This is the start of the bare-root planting season. During October, fruit trees and bushes are ideal candidates for the garden. Apple and pear trees, along with blackcurrants, gooseberries, and other soft fruits, can all be planted now, giving them the perfect conditions to take root. At Scape Easy, the landscape gardeners with local knowledge, we can help you make the most of this planting window, whether you’re establishing a kitchen garden or adding fruiting trees and shrubs to your outdoor space.
For flower enthusiasts, there’s still plenty of colour to look forward to. Hardy annuals such as wallflowers and forget-me-nots can be sown in October to overwinter, ready to burst into life with vibrant spring displays. Many perennials, including primulas, also benefit from autumn sowing, as the seasonal chill assists their germination.
One particularly valuable plant that landscape gardeners consider at this time of year is phacelia. This hardy annual attracts pollinators like bees while also serving as a superb green manure to enrich your soil. It can be sown directly outdoors into prepared ground or started in trays for transplanting in spring.
Cowslips (Primula veris) are another excellent choice. These cheerful perennials thrive in semi-shaded areas and do especially well near ponds and damp spots. Sowing seeds in October ensures they receive the cold treatment necessary for germination. Seed trays should be kept outdoors in a sheltered place, such as a cold frame, to protect them from extreme conditions.
If you’re looking to add something more unusual, Orlaya grandiflora (commonly called white laceflower) is a Mediterranean native that can be sown in autumn and overwintered, rewarding you with delicate blooms in early spring. Similarly, honeywort (Cerinthe), loved by bees for its striking, bell-shaped flowers, can be started now in pots or trays, ready for planting out as the weather warms.
With careful planning and the right planting choices, October can be one of the most rewarding months in the gardening calendar. It’s the perfect time to set the stage for a colourful, productive year ahead. If you’d like professional support, talk to Scape Easy, the trusted landscape gardeners in Sheffield. We’re here to help. Get in touch today and let us prepare your garden for the coming seasons!
Call us on 0114 2309673 or email us at info@scapeasy.co.uk.
