01 - House Plants

Most house plants would have matured by now and are preparing for winter growth.

This is the last opportunity for pinching and light pruning:

• Pinch growing tips to maintain a compact shape.
• Light pruning encourages bushier growth and better winter survival.
• Remove weak, leggy, or damaged growth.
• Avoid heavy feeding now; focus on grooming and ensuring plants receive adequate light.

02 - Indoor Plants

As temperatures begin to cool:

• Wipe leaves regularly to remove dust and improve photosynthesis.
• Check thoroughly for pests before bringing plants fully indoors.
• Reduce watering slightly as growth slows.
• Continue maintaining humidity around plants and keep them away from direct drafts.

03 - Roses, Dahlias & Chrysanthemums

Roses

October is pruning time for roses.

• Prune roses during the first half of October.
• Apply Bavistin powder or a Blitox paste to all cut surfaces.
• Feed with well-decomposed gobar manure.
• Use an organic fertilizer or manure with an NPK ratio of 5-5-5.
• Water lightly after pruning and feeding.

Dahlias

Prepare beds now for spectacular winter blooms.

• Dig and aerate beds thoroughly.
• Incorporate plenty of well-decomposed gobar manure.
• Plant rooted cuttings by the end of October.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums require constant attention through spraying, feeding, pinching, and training.

Weekly Liquid Feed

For a natural weekly feed:

• 25 kg fresh cow dung
• 5 kg mustard oil cake
• 5 kg neem oil cake
• Water in a 100-litre drum

Cover and stir daily. Allow to ferment for 10 days.

Use:

• Strain through cotton muslin or dhoti cloth.
• Dilute 1 litre concentrate in 10 litres of water.
• Always water the plant first before feeding.

Top Dressing

Mix:

• 2 parts Neem Khali
• 1 part Bone Meal

Apply a couple of teaspoons per plant each week, lightly turning the topsoil before watering.

Pinching & Bud Management

• Begin pinching when plants reach about 6 inches in height.
• Carry out a second pinching two weeks later.
• Once flower buds appear:
  • Remove side buds.
  • Retain either one main bud or three buds per stem.
  • Stop both liquid and top feeding.

DAP Feeding

• Mix 1 gram DAP per litre of water.

Or use:

• 4” pot → 4–6 beads
• 6” pot → 6–8 beads

Always stake plants below the buds to avoid restricting flower development.

04 - Bulbous Plants

October is ideal for planting winter-flowering bulbs once minimum temperatures consistently fall below 25°C.

Favourite bulbs for the season include:

• Gladiolus
• Narcissus
• Hyacinth
• Asiatic Lily
• Oriental Lily (Stargazer)
• Daffodils
• Chincherinchee
• Muscari
• Ranunculus (Buttercup)

Select bulbs that are:

• Large
• Heavy
• Firm
• Free from cuts, marks, and injuries

Bulbs always look more impressive when planted in groups rather than individually.

Plant in an equal mixture of:

• Soil
• Gobar manure
• Leaf compost
• Okhla khaad

Feed each pot with:

• 2 tbsp Neem Khali
• 1 tbsp Bone Meal
• ½ tsp DAP
• ¼ tsp Single Super Phosphate

Bulbs store moisture naturally, so water sparingly at first. Increase watering once active growth and flowering begin.

05 - Vegetables

October is one of the best months for winter vegetables.

Sow seeds directly:

• Beetroot
• Carrot
• Peas
• Radish
• Turnip
• Spinach

Transplant seedlings:

• Brinjal
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Lettuce

Plant:

• Onion bulbs
• Garlic cloves on well-manured ridges

06 - Seasonal Flowers

There is still plenty of time to sow winter annuals. Traditional desi varieties are often taller, hardier, and flower longer than many hybrids.

For Shady Areas

• Salvia (desi)
• Cineraria (desi)

For Sunny Areas

• Antirrhinum
• Poppy
• Sweet Pea
• Dahlias
• Sweet William
• Dianthus

Quick Bloomers

• Lupins
• Cornflowers
• Larkspur

You can also grow:

• Hollyhock
• Marigold
• Pansy
• Stock
• Carnation

Seedlings at the 4–6 leaf stage can now be transplanted into beds or pots.

07 - Herbs

Delhi winters are ideal for herbs.

Grow:

• Celery
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Chives
• Basil
• Thyme

The easiest method is to buy healthy young plants in polybags and transplant them into terracotta pots.

08 - Lawns & Hedges

Lawns are at their best during October.

• Weed manually and thoroughly.
• Remove weeds with roots intact to prevent regrowth.
• Continue mowing regularly.
• Water deeply when required.
• Repair any thin or damaged patches before winter.

09 - Succulents

Succulents have just recovered from the monsoon and now need attention.

• Repot, divide, or replant into a fresh, free-draining potting mix.
• Do not water for one week after repotting.

For indoor growing:

• Sansevieria performs reliably indoors.
• Zebra Haworthia thrives indoors with minimal care.
• Jade plants gradually weaken and shed leaves if kept indoors for extended periods.

Nurseries are now stocked with the widest variety of succulents, a season that lasts from September through March.