The soil still holds some warmth from summer, autumn rain helps new roots settle in, and the cooler weather is kinder to many hardy plants than a dry spell in July. In October in Dublin gardens, the best things to plant are spring bulbs, hardy perennials, shrubs, trees, hedging, garlic and winter containers.

The trick is choosing the right plants for the right conditions. October is not the month for tender plants, poor drainage or heroic optimism. The first frost has a way of reviewing your choices.

Why October is a good planting month

October gives hardy plants a chance to establish roots before winter. They are not being pushed into lots of leafy growth, but they can still settle into the soil while conditions are mild enough.

For Dublin gardens, the main advantage is moisture. Newly planted shrubs, trees and perennials usually need less watering than they would in late spring or summer. That said, October rain can be helpful or deeply unhelpful depending on your soil.

Before planting, check the ground. If it is damp but crumbly, you are in business. If it is sticky, compacted, puddled or waterlogged, wait. Planting into cold, wet soil is not kindness. It is more like tucking a plant into a soggy duvet and hoping for character development.

The Dublin rule: check drainage first

In Dublin, October planting often succeeds or fails on drainage. A sheltered border with crumbly soil is a very different place from a compacted front garden that holds water after rain.

Many Dublin gardens also have their own little quirks: exposed front gardens, windy side passages, small patios, heavy soil, sheltered corners and frost pockets that behave as if they have their own climate department.

If the soil is wet but workable, plant away. If it clings to your boots, smears on the trowel or leaves water sitting in the planting hole, wait or improve the drainage first. For some plants, a slight mound or raised bed can help. For others, the better answer is simply choosing a plant that copes with heavier conditions.

Garlic, onions and fruit

October is also useful for food growing.

Garlic is one of the best edible crops to plant now. It benefits from a period of cold weather, which helps it form good bulbs. Plant individual cloves into a sunny, free-draining spot, pointed end up, with enough space between them. Use garlic intended for planting rather than supermarket garlic, which may not be suited to growing here.

Autumn onion sets can also be planted, but they are not ideal for every garden. If your soil is heavy and prone to winter waterlogging, they may rot. In that case, either use raised beds, improve drainage, or wait for a more suitable planting window.

October is also a good time to plant pot-grown fruit bushes and fruit trees, provided conditions are suitable. Bare-root fruit usually becomes more relevant later in autumn and winter, when plants are dormant.