Garden list for October

Things I want to achieve in October 2025

September was a big month, I’ve worked really hard in the garden, focusing on long overdue tasks that had been left on the list too long because they were big or complicated.  Most of these tasks will help in the long run towards making the garden low maintenance.  For all the success I’ve crossing things off the list, I’m still not done.  There are a handful of projects that I’d optimistically like to have completed by the end of October.  Going forward the season should be a lot easier.

The ‘going early’ feels weird.  I’m about three weeks earlier than normal and so far so good.  I have spares waiting in the wings so there is no harm in planting things early.  I’m putting trust in the weather, which is a brave thing to do.

I took a clipboard into the garden to make a note of everything that needs doing in the garden and added them to the to do list alongside the maintenance projects, the things I didn’t get to last month and the dreamy projects that will linger on the list for months, if not years!

GARDEN GARDENING

• Care for seedlings in greenhouse.
• Weekly weeding of all sectors.
• Continue with bricks in paths.
• Trap possums.
• Liquid feed plants– fortnightly.
• Plant out seedlings.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Sector 1

• Make support structure for dahlia.
• Test and fix irrigation.

Sector 2

• Eat leeks.
• Prepare remaining beds for planting.
• Prepare growing structures.
• Test and fix irrigation.

Sector 3

• Finish clearing fence line.
• Prepare beds for planting.
• Prepare growing structures.
• Eat root crops and leafy greens.
• Clear sand along fence line.
• Test and fix irrigation.
• Tidy up beside the shed.

Sector 4

• Set up irrigation through this area.
• Weed and deadhead flowers.
• Sort out edible flower bed.
• Weed pond area.
• Move large pile of sand.
• Sort out plants on deck.

Sector 5

• Test and fix irrigation.
• Build a blueberry cage.
• Improve wind break protection.
• Feed and mulch fruit trees.
• Add compost to raspberries.
• Mulch strawberries.
• Tame pepino.
• Add weed barrier to wild edge.
• There is a garden bed on my garden plan that is listed as “weeds.” This needs to change.

THE PALACE:

Room 1

• Weed between bricks.
• Add brackets to stairs.

Room 2

• Install edging.
• Refresh the bark mulch.
• Sort out rope posts.
• Fill gaps with plants.
• Fix and repaint gates.
• Weed and tidy last messy corner.
• Weed stairs.
• Trim hedge.
• Get plaque for time capsule.

Room 3                                                                                                  

• Weed regularly.
• Plant extra plants.

Room 4                                                                                                  

• Mow.
• Dream.

BEYOND THE GARDEN

• Weedeat along fence line.
• Tidy office.
• Weed and Feed Lawn.
• Paint sheds.
• Sort out backdoor garden.
• Repot houseplants.
• Replace rotten fence palings.

OTHER PROJECTS – for when I have time.

• Landscape around the swing seat.
• Weed around trees on windbreak hill.
• Plant more trees on windbreak hill.
• Weed Waterfall.
• Investigate ‘hill art’ project.
• Makeover chicken coup.

KITCHEN GARDENING

• Enjoy new kitchen.
• Something from the garden in every meal.
• Meal Plan around garden ingredients.