What to Plant in October in Ireland, The Irish Gardener

October often feels like the season for tidying up, not planting, but don’t put the trowel away just yet. This is one of the most best months for planting in Ireland.

The soil is still warm, rain is plentiful, and plants are ready to root in before winter truly sets in. Whether you’re hoping for a colourful spring display, home-grown vegetables, or to establish new trees and shrubs, October offers plenty of opportunities.

Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs Now for a Spectacular Display

If you plant just one thing this month, make it bulbs. October is the perfect time to plant most spring-flowering bulbs such as:

Tulips (late October is best)
Daffodils and Narcissi
Crocus and Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Alliums, Fritillaria and Camassia

Plant them in groups or drifts for natural-looking displays. Choose a well-drained spot and bury bulbs roughly 2–3 times their depth..

spring flowering bulbs in a wooden tray for autumn planting

Tip: Plant bulbs beneath deciduous shrubs or trees, they’ll get light in spring before the canopy fills out.

October is Tree and Shrub Planting Season

As leaves begin to fall, the dormant planting season starts. Trees, hedging and shrubs planted now will establish strong root systems before growth resumes in spring.

Ideal October choices include:

Native trees such as Birch, Rowan, Holly, and Crab Apple
Flowering shrubs like Viburnum tinus, Camellia, and Witch Hazel
Evergreen hedging such as Griselinia, Laurel, or Portuguese Laurel

Autumn-planted trees and shrubs need less watering than those planted in spring, another reason this is the best time to get them in the ground.

Tip: Stake young trees firmly and mulch around the base to protect roots and conserve moisture.

Sow or Plant Autumn Vegetables and Greens

Even as temperatures drop, your vegetable garden doesn’t have to shut down. You can still plant:

Winter lettuce and salad leaves (in a cold frame or tunnel)
Garlic, onions and shallots for next summer’s harvest
Spring cabbage and hardy kale
Broad beans for an early crop next year

planting onion sets in the ground in October

These crops enjoy the cooler conditions and will establish before winter dormancy. If your soil is too wet, grow them in raised beds or large containers.

Divide and Replant Perennials

Now is the time to lift and divide overcrowded clumps of perennials like Hosta, Geranium, Hemerocallis, and Astilbe. Replant divisions in refreshed soil with some compost and a touch of grit for drainage.
This not only rejuvenates older plants but gives you more to spread around the garden or share with friends.

perennial Geranium or cranesbill in full flower, blue in colour

Tip: Mark their positions clearly, foliage will soon die back and you’ll want to know where everything is next spring!

Plant for Wildlife and Pollinators

October is an excellent month to create habitats and food sources for birds, bees and other beneficial creatures.

Plant Ivy, Hawthorn, Crab Apple, and Mahonia for berries and nectar
Sow wildflower seed mixes suitable for autumn sowing
Leave some seed heads and leaf litter for overwintering insects

A living garden through autumn and winter helps sustain wildlife and adds beauty and purpose even on grey days.

Final Jobs for October

Mulch borders with compost or leaf mould
Lift tender plants like dahlias before frost
Collect fallen leaves for leaf mould
Move containers into sheltered spots
Check that stakes and ties are secure

October may signal the end of summer, but it’s really the start of next year’s garden. With the soil still warm, roots will establish quickly, giving you stronger, healthier plants next spring.

If you’re unsure where to begin, I offer online consultations to help design or replant your garden professionally. Find out more at theirishgardener.com