BBC Gardeners' World

Gardeners' World Magazine is the authoritative voice in gardening, the clear market-leader since it launched in 1991. The award-winning editorial includes topical, practical advice in the readers' favourite 'what to do now' section, and regular contributions and features from the top names in BBC gardening. Packed with fresh ideas and clear advice - the innovative approach offers creative, practical and problem-solving solutions to all keen gardeners.

More from Gardeners’world magazine

Welcome

We love October • This is a very plump month: say it loud, October. You can feel the roundness and amplitude in every syllable. It is a month for donning an extra jumper and thinking about crumpets dripping butter. All this fubsiness is appropriate as we are gathering in the last of the harvest and our gardens are settling themselves, like contented cats, into the soil ready for the oncoming winter. Before we go, however, we have the very last of the flowers and, of course, the unalloyed joy of watching the swansong of the leaves as they explode into oranges and scarlets.

Expert’s choice Decorative dahlias • These striking double flowerheads will provide a grand finale to the season, says Graham Rice

FREE Forsythia ‘Mini Gold’ with every fragrant winter-flowering shrub • Brighten up your garden with this vibrant, dwarf forsythia. In spring, branches are smothered with buttery-yellow blooms, followed by green foliage in summer. In autumn, the foliage turns red, orange and yellow before dropping. Compact in habit, it’s ideal for pots and small gardens. Height x Spread 1.2m x 1.2m Flowers March-April

The Full Monty • October gardens may still be full of growth, but it’s the perfect time, says Monty, to lay plans for even better results in 2022

Have your say • The view from your side of the fence

Clippings • Our roundup of the month’s latest gardening news and views

My gardening world JB Gill

News in brief

Subscribe and receive the Gardeners’ World Almanac • Save on a subscription to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and receive a copy of the Gardeners’ World Almanac, worth £16.99. You’ll pay just £24.50 every 6 issues " saving 29% on the shop price†.

Apple of my eye • Monty adores apples and grows 49 varieties at Longmeadow, rich in heritage and flavour. Here he shares how to choose, grow and savour this much-loved fruit, even in the smallest garden

Know your apples

How to plant an apple tree • Now is the best time to plant a tree as the ground is still warm but the tree is dormant so won’t be disturbed.

Storing apples

Colour all year round • In the first of a three-part series, Carol Klein shares the craft of using colour in the garden – this month she explains how to achieve impact in every season

Mix & match • Adam Frost shows how to capture the essence of autumn in containers – both single pots to create stylish groupings and larger ones with ready-matched plant combos

MIX AND MATCH SPRING BULBS PACK

Where do I start? Autumn planting know-how • For beginner gardeners, getting to grips with the fundamentals can seem daunting. But in this 12-part exclusive series, Alan Titchmarsh will be sharing his wisdom to help you master the skills that really matter. This month, Alan reveals how to get ahead with bare-root plants and bulbs, plus save time and money along the way.

PLANT BULBS offer NOW FOR SPRING COLOUR • Whether you’re topping up your tulip displays, planning your pot combinations or have grand ideas for show-stopping swathes of colour to fill your borders, you'll find everything you need in Farmer Gracy’s inspiring range of spring bulbs. Enjoy free P&P on all orders, choosing from the entire range of beautiful bulb varieties.

How to be...