Hello from the Hilltop team! October is here, and it's the perfect time to get your garden ready for the cooler months ahead. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started, we’ve got some practical tips and advice to keep your garden looking great all season long. At Hilltop Garden Centre, we love nothing more than sharing our knowledge and helping you make the most of your garden. And don’t forget, if you need any supplies or expert guidance, you can always pop into our garden centre in Clacton and visit our café for a warm drink afterwards!
1. Plant spring bulbs
October is the ideal month for planting spring-flowering bulbs. If you haven’t already, now is the time to get tulips, daffodils, and crocuses into the ground. At our garden centre in Clacton-on-Sea, we have a great selection of bulbs to choose from, including favourites like Curiosity Tulips, vibrant Queen of Night Tulips, and the ever-popular Golden Apeldoorn. These bulbs will burst into bloom in the spring, giving your garden a fresh and colourful start to the year.
When planting, make sure to plant bulbs at a depth that's about three times their height. And if you're working with heavier soil, add a bit of grit to the hole to help with drainage. For more tips on planting bulbs, feel free to ask our knowledgeable team next time you visit our Essex garden centre, and while you're here check out our gorgeous range of spring bulbs.
2. Plant for winter interest
Skimmia Japonica, Hilltop’s Plant of the Month in October, is a fantastic compact, evergreen shrub that brings year-round colour and texture to your garden. Perfect for borders or patio containers, Skimmia thrives in partially shaded spots with well-drained, moist soil. It’s ideal for winter interest, as its glossy leaves and vibrant red buds provide a striking focal point when most plants are dormant.
To plant Skimmia Japonica successfully, make sure to use an ericaceous (acidic) compost, such as Hilltop’s recommended peat-free Rocket Gro Ericaceous Compost (£6.99 a bag or 2 for £13 at Hilltop). Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, fill it with the compost, and water thoroughly. Skimmia Japonica doesn’t tolerate full sun, so choose a location with dappled or morning sunlight.
Varieties like ‘Rubella’ offer stunning red buds throughout winter and fragrant white blooms in spring. Meanwhile, ‘Pabella’ features scented spring flowers followed by masses of bright red berries, and ‘Kew Green’ showcases yellow-white flowers from autumn through spring.
This low-maintenance shrub provides continuous interest and structure in your garden, requiring only minimal pruning and regular watering during dry spells. Perfect for brightening your garden in winter!
3. Get garden beds ready for winter
Autumn is a time of preparation in the garden. It’s important to tidy up your flower beds to help them through the winter. Start by removing any dead or dying plants and giving everything a good weed. If you’ve got perennials that are looking a bit tired, now’s the time to cut them back. For plants like roses, it's best to prune them now so they can rest over the colder months and come back even stronger in the spring.
We always recommend adding a layer of mulch to your beds before the frost arrives. Mulching helps insulate your plants and also improves soil structure. We have a range of mulches available at our Essex garden centre, so stop by if you need some.
3. Plant perennials
October is the perfect month to plant perennials, and there are several reasons why. The soil is still warm from the summer, which helps roots establish quickly, while the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall reduce the need for constant watering. By planting perennials in autumn, you give them time to settle in and develop strong root systems before winter, ensuring a vibrant display when spring arrives.
Asters are an excellent choice for late-season colour, providing a stunning display from summer to the end of autumn. Their bright blooms are perfect for filling in those final gaps in your garden. You can grab them in 1-litre pots for £4.99 each or get 3 for £12 - this month only.
For winter interest, Hellebores are unbeatable. Their intriguing colours and patterns, combined with their hardy, evergreen foliage, bring life to your garden during the cold months. With blooms that appear as early as winter and last through spring, they’re a must-have for year-round beauty. Hellebores are also available in 1-litre pots for £4.99 each or 3 for £12 this October.
Ornamental grasses are a fantastic way to bring texture, movement, and structure to your autumn garden. Their graceful, arching stems and soft plumes catch the light beautifully, creating a sense of natural elegance that complements any planting scheme. In autumn, grasses like Miscanthus, Stipa, and Pennisetum truly shine, adding warm golden hues, rich bronze tones, and airy seed heads that sway gently in the breeze.
The best part? Ornamental grasses are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and versatile, making them perfect for borders, containers, or mixed with perennials. They pair beautifully with late-season flowers like Asters, Sedums, and Rudbeckias, enhancing the overall visual interest of your garden. Plus, they provide year-round appeal, offering winter interest with their structural form. Whether you’re looking to soften hard landscaping or create a meadow-like feel, ornamental grasses will give your garden that extra dimension.
Photinia is a tough, evergreen shrub that’s perfect for adding year-round interest to your garden. Its glossy, red-tipped foliage makes it a striking choice as a freestanding shrub or a popular option for hedging. Photinia, particularly the 'Red Robin' variety, offers vibrant new growth in spring, which matures to deep green, providing a dynamic contrast throughout the year.
Plant Photinia in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. It's easy to care for and can tolerate pruning, making it ideal for shaping into a hedge. Regular trimming encourages new red growth, giving your garden a lush, vibrant look.
4. Prepare containers and pots
If you’ve got pots and containers full of summer flowers, it’s time to refresh them for autumn. Pansies and violas are great choices for the colder months. Not only do they add a burst of colour, but they’re hardy enough to withstand the chill. Don’t forget to change the compost when replanting. Our team always recommends using a nutrient-rich compost, like our range of Rocket Gro organic composts, to give your plants the best start.
If you’re not sure which plants to choose for your pots and containers, visit our Essex garden centre and speak to one of our plant experts. We have a wide range of plants and can help you create stunning autumn displays that will last well into winter. This October, you can't go wrong with Viola pots as they're the perfect pick-me-up for pots, containers and baskets - and they are currently on special offer. What's more, Hilltop's Rewards Club members can take home a Viola or Pansy 6-cell pack worth £4.25 for free when they spend £10 or more in-store. You can join our Rewards Club here to take advantage of our monthly offers.
5. Harvest autumn veg and herbs
If you’ve been growing your own veggies and herbs, October is the time to start harvesting the last of your crops. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beetroots are ready to be lifted, and if you’ve still got any squash, make sure to harvest them before the first frost.
Herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme can be snipped back and dried for use in your kitchen throughout the winter. If you’re interested in starting your own herb garden or expanding what you have, we offer a great selection of herb plants at our garden centre in Essex.
6. Sharpen your gardening tools
Keeping your gardening tools sharp is essential for maintaining a healthy garden - and saving money in the long run. Dull tools can damage plants, making it harder to achieve clean cuts, which can lead to diseases. Sharp blades not only make gardening easier and more efficient but also reduce strain on your hands and wrists. Rather than replacing expensive tools, regular sharpening extends their lifespan, helping you get the most out of your investment.
Hilltop Garden Centre is offering a convenient mobile sharpening service by ‘The Sharpener’ in-store on Saturday, 19th October, from 2-4 pm. Bring your gardening tools along and get them sharpened while you shop, or grab a coffee and a slice of our delicious homemade cakes while you wait!
Bonus Tip: Visit Hilltop’s Café after your garden work
After a long day working in the garden, reward yourself with a visit to our garden centre with café. We’ve recently expanded our menu, offering delicious homemade cakes, warm drinks, light lunches and delicious specials, freshly prepared by our in-house chef. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful views of our surroundings.
At Hilltop Garden Centre, we’re here to help you every step of the way with your gardening journey. Whether you need advice on plants, supplies, or just a break at our café, we’re proud to be your local garden centre in Clacton, Essex. Our friendly team is always available to answer your questions and help you create a garden you’ll love.
So this October, let’s get our gardens prepped and looking their best! We look forward to seeing you soon.
