Monty's month of flowers: jobs for the October garden

In October, we bid farewell to warmer, longer days as the temperature drops and the clocks go back. Late-flowering perennials such as dahlias and asters are still in bloom, at least until the first frost, and it’s time to plan for a new growing season. Perennials can be added to borders now while the soil is still fairly warm and seeds sown to provide displays of flowers for next spring and summer. Spring bulb planting continues and tender plants like cannas should be lifted before the cold weather arrives and stored in frost-free conditions.

In the first of these three clips from BBC Gardeners’ World, Monty plants up a border in the writing garden with perennials and biennials. He also sows sweet peas and takes cuttings from his salvias, in case the winter is especially cold and they struggle to survive.

Taking salvia cuttings

Monty demonstrates how to take cuttings from Salvia 'Amistad' and Salvia fulgens, in case they don't survive over winter.