October, south of the equator

October is mid spring in the south and the month when the garden goes from planting to growing. The soil is warm, the frost has gone even in the colder inland gardens, and the rains are starting to arrive on the summer rainfall side of the country.

In the garden

Sow and plant the summer crops. Tomatoes, peppers, chillies, beans, cucumbers, baby marrows, gem squash, pumpkin, sweet corn and melons all go in now, along with beetroot, carrots, lettuce, radish and Swiss chard. Sow basil, which will not thank you for going in any earlier.

Plant the summer annuals and keep planting the summer bulbs. Dahlias, liliums and gladioli can still go in, and cosmos, zinnia, marigold, petunia, nasturtium, portulaca and vinca all establish quickly in warm soil. Plant clivia, delosperma, bougainvillea and jasmine, and plant agapanthus into the sunniest, best drained place you have.

Start watering properly. Two deep soaks a week beat seven light ones, because deep water sends the roots down and shallow water keeps them at the surface. Mulch after watering. Stake the tomatoes and dahlias as you plant them rather than later, when the roots are in the way.

The month the watering habit is set

Whatever routine you fall into in October is the routine you will still be following in January, when it matters a great deal more. It is worth getting right now, while there is time to think about it. Water deeply, twice a week rather than daily, early in the morning or in the evening, and mulch immediately afterwards so that what you have given is still there tomorrow. A bed watered properly in October needs less attention in January than a bed sprinkled daily since spring.

In the house

Peak growing season. Water on a short interval, feed every fortnight, and expect a plant in good light to be making a leaf every couple of weeks. Repot anything that missed September, because there is still time for the roots to fill fresh compost.

Move plants outside for the summer if you want to, but do it in stages. Full shade for a week, then dappled light, and never straight into midday sun. A leaf grown indoors has no defence and scorches in an afternoon.

Watch for the first mealybug and red spider mite of the season. Warm rooms and dry air suit both, and dealing with a handful now saves a summer of it.

What not to do yet

Do not water a little every day. Do not leave a plant that has spent winter indoors on a hot patio and hope it adapts. And do not put off staking anything tall, because a stake driven in beside an established root is worse than useless.