The vegetable garden in October: planting garlic and preparing the beds

Decide bed by bed

Start with crops at risk: if frost is approaching, bringing storage squashes under cover takes priority over sowing a new row. Then check whether the soil is workable; sowing and planting only come after these two decisions. The SNHF on Hortiquid advises harvesting squashes before frost.

Next, make a simple assessment: crops still present, freed spaces, planned location for garlic, and areas where water remains after rain. Consult local forecasts before choosing the day’s tasks.

If the soil is waterlogged, stay on the paths and postpone preparation. The RHS recommends not walking on waterlogged soil until it becomes workable to avoid compacting it further.

Planting and covering conditions are detailed below. Use the table to plan your tasks; you do not need to complete every item during the month.

Plant autumn garlic if the soil is suitable

October falls within the period indicated by the SNHF for autumn white and purple garlic. However, verify the name and instructions for your variety before separating the cloves. Colour alone is not decisive: the PROSEMAIL and SEMAE leaflet distinguishes spring-planting pink garlic and pink varieties described as “alternatif”, which can also be planted in autumn or winter.

Choose a sunny spot and soil that does not retain water for long. The SNHF excludes heavy or poorly drained soils that remain damp in winter. If the intended location is waterlogged, postpone planting and reconsider the bed choice.

When the variety and soil are suitable, follow the steps in our garlic planting guide. Keep the label and note the date and location: you will be able to precisely identify what you planted.

Continue sowing only where suitable guidance supports it

Broad beans offer a well-defined possibility. The SNHF advises sowing from October in the warm regions of the Midi and South-West, and in early spring elsewhere. This guidance does not apply to all of France or all gardens in these regions.

Before sowing, verify that your variety is indicated for autumn and that your garden’s conditions match this timeframe. If in doubt, ask the supplier for guidance suited to your area. A packet whose period does not match your situation can wait: October does not require restarting a crop.

For other vegetables, start again with the variety, cultivation method, and local instructions instead of automatically extending the previous month’s sowings. Once you have confirmed this choice, the sowing guide helps you prepare the equipment and plan the care needed.

Harvest storage squashes before frost

If pumpkins or potimarron squash still occupy a bed, examine the fruits before freeing it. The SNHF’s response on Hortiquid considers a hardened skin and stem, along with fully developed colour, to assess maturity. Yellowing foliage is a supplementary indicator, not a harvest date in itself.

Allow ripening as long as the weather permits, but harvest before frosts. If possible, harvest in dry conditions, cut the stem without snapping the stalk off at the fruit, and handle the squash gently to avoid knocks. These precautions apply to squashes intended for storage; they do not describe harvesting young courgettes.

Prepare protection for crops kept in place

Identify the crops you wish to keep in place, then check their sensitivity to the forecasted cold. Prepare suitable protection when necessary, with easy access to observe leaves and harvest.

Fleece does not guarantee frost-free conditions. The RHS specifies that its effectiveness depends, among other factors, on its thickness and that, without heat from the sun, the temperature under the cover can quickly approach that of the outside air.

If using a cloche or small tunnel, check its fixings and ventilation openings. A poorly secured shelter can be blown away by wind; an overly humid atmosphere encourages certain diseases. The RHS cloche fact sheet recommends good ventilation. Therefore, keep openings usable and monitor conditions under the shelter, even when the outside weather seems cool.

Cover freed beds

On an area with no new crop planned, mulch can protect the surface from the impact of rain. Jardiner Autrement recommends this cover in autumn, after weeding.

Use healthy plant materials, such as fallen leaves, and leave them on the surface. Do not incorporate diseased debris into the mulch. Avoid applying it to frozen soil or in strong winds. Around crops kept in place, clear the base of stems; if you sow or plant later, move the cover aside without mixing it into the soil.

Finally, note the allocation of each bed: crop maintained, garlic planted, confirmed sowing, or cover only. In the November calendar, you can review your choices in light of the garden’s actual condition.

Grey shallot, corn salad, rocket and raspberry: check sowing and planting conditions

• Grey shallot: October falls within the SEMAE’s October–December guideline. Identify the bulb type and choose well-drained soil; do not extend this schedule to all pink shallots. Source
• Corn salad: Autumn sowing remains an option, with a variety suited to cold and careful monitoring during establishment. Check the packet’s instructions and your garden’s conditions. SNHF
• Cultivated rocket: The SNHF suggests September–October for a spring harvest. A potential winter harvest requires a mild late season. Source
• Raspberry: Prepare an autumn planting in well-drained soil that retains moisture without waterlogging. Wait if the ground is frozen or waterlogged; consult the fact sheet for location and planting steps. SNHF · RHS, soil

Harvest crops planted earlier

Brussels sprouts sown in spring may be ready for harvest depending on the variety. Start with the large, firm sprouts at the bottom; their presence in October does not mean they should be sown now. SNHF

On established Swiss chard, pick outer leaves while keeping several in the centre. Cold can stop new leaf growth: protecting plants may allow a few pickings in mild weather. RHS

Plan herbs and the next crops for each space

For new locations, compare needs before freeing a space: mint, thyme, chives, and coriander do not share a common cycle. Consult their planting periods before choosing the next crop.

Check each herb’s needs before preparing for winter

For an existing plant, start with its specific fact sheet, then choose an action: for thyme, one thing to check is soil moisture in winter; the bay laurel and lemon verbena fact sheets help you choose and monitor suitable shelter for potted plants according to their hardiness. Verify the species and available conditions before grouping pots under the same protection. For lemon balm and tarragon, consult their individual fact sheets rather than assuming they need the same overwintering conditions.

If keeping seeds for later, use the seed harvesting and storage guide to check maturity, drying, and labelling. October alone does not prove a batch is ready to be sealed in a container.