October is traditionally considered one of the busiest months for gardeners, as this is when the foundation for next year's harvest is laid. According to recommendations from experts at the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), mid-autumn is ideal for planting winter garlic and shallots, as well as for large-scale harvesting of remaining vegetables in the garden beds.

Features of Autumn Planting of Garlic and Onions

For successful garlic cultivation during the cold season, it is necessary to choose a well-lit, sunny area with fertile soil where water stagnation is completely eliminated. Excessive dampness in winter months can provoke the development of dangerous fungal diseases and root system decay. Before planting, heads are divided into individual cloves, which are planted at a depth of about 2.5 cm while maintaining a distance of 15 cm between them and up to 30 cm between rows. Autumn planting has a key advantage over spring: a period of natural cold is necessary for most varieties to properly form full-fledged heads.

Harvesting Late Crops and Soil Protection

Along with planting work, October requires completing the harvest of heat-loving and resilient crops such as pumpkins, squashes, potatoes, tomatoes, and late greens. However, there is no need to rush into completely clearing the territory, as some cold-resistant vegetables can successfully withstand the first frosts right in the beds. After harvesting, plant residues are carefully removed, sending healthy specimens to compost, and the freed soil is covered with a layer of organic fertilizer or sown with cover crops.

Contradictory Data

There are certain discrepancies in recommendations regarding exact dates and methods of autumn planting in various sources. While the British Royal Horticultural Society emphasizes general agrotechnical principles of drainage and planting depth, regional agronomists from kp.ru and glavred.info often point to a strict adherence to lunar calendars and climatic zones for 2026, emphasizing that deadlines may shift by two to three weeks depending on unexpected frosts.