Not only is there a lot of lifting and clearing of summer flowering items to be done during the month of October, but many flower and vegetable varieties can be sown at this time. Also there is still time to tend to the lawn.

Lawns

In mild areas final sowings of grass seed can be made early in the month, provided soil and weather conditions are suitable. Apply an autumn fertiliser to established lawns.
Growth should be slowing down now, just keep an eye on the weather and the lenght of your lawn for those last cuts.
Having said that the weather reports for the winter are mild so a monthly cut may be needed, just keep an eye out. 
Remove any leaves that have fallen onto the lawn and add them to the compost heap.

Flowers

Sow sweet peas in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse to overwinter planting outdoors in March or April to produce early blooms.
In the heated greenhouse sow cyclamen seeds.
For colourful displays indoors during Christmas and New Year plant containers hyacinth bulbs early in the month,
Towards the middle of the month plant narcissus.


Summer Bulbs

Gladioli bulbs should be lifted as soon as possible for drying before any soil is cleaned away and the old foliage and flower spikes are cut back. They can now be stored until late spring when replanting can take place.
Dahlias can also be lifted and stored once the foliage has gone black from the first frosts. The hollow stems can be cut down to approximately 10cm (4”) above the tuber.

Vegetables

Plant garlic bulbs, and Onions Early Crop  during October and November.
In sheltered areas make sowings of Broad Bean towards the end of the month.
Lift and store root crops such as carrots, beetroot and potatoes.
Cut down asparagus to near ground level.

Fruit

October is a good month for preparing the ground for planting soft fruit. Select a well drained, sunny position that is not prone to late frosts.
Dig over the area incorporating well rotted farm-yard manure or garden compost removing all weed roots.
Erect supports for cane fruits such as raspberries.
As the berries of late fruiting varieties of blackberries ripen they should be picked, and to keep the birds off the canes a netting should be used as protection.

Greenhouse

If at all possible any tender perennials,  which are in containers should be moved into the greenhouse for the winter.