Get Growing Subscription – October 2026

Hello Keen Grower

Welcome to your October ‘Get Growing’ seed subscription!

Here’s what’s in your box:

• Broad Bean Dreadnought (for overwintering)
• Breadseed Poppy Hen and Chicks (for overwintering)
• Winter Mizuna Cool Beans

Broad Bean Dreadnought

Sowing info

Dreadnought is a hardy broad bean, so you can sow now in autumn to overwinter for an earlier crop next year. If you have no problem with mice and pigeons, direct sow in place in October. Sow at a depth of 5 cm, giving each plant at least 20 cm space apart. Germination usually takes around 10 days. (You can also sow in spring, February to April.)

Growing info

When growing broad beans, support the plants by placing a cane or stick at each corner of a double row and tying in with string, especially in windy gardens.

Blog – How to sow and grow beans

Breadseed Poppy Hen and Chicks

Sowing info

This one’s for overwintering! Sow poppies in October, where they are to grow, for a head start on next year’s blooms. Choose a spot in full sun and scatter the seeds thinly on the surface of the soil. They’ll germinate naturally once conditions are right.

Growing info

Water regularly until plants are fully established. Growing poppies is easy and once established, they require very little attention. Poppies will self seed if allowed to do so. Please note only breadseed poppy seed is edible, do not harvest seed from other types of poppy. Seeds are the only edible part of the plant.

Blog – How to sow and grow poppies

Winter Mizuna Cool Beans

Sowing info

Sow seeds early in module trays or directly where it is to grow about 1cm deep. Keep at 15-20c germination takes around 7 days. Harden off and plant out once large enough to handle.

Growing info

Succession sow for a continuous crop and keep watered in summer months to encourage growth. Treat as a cut and come again crop to prolong the harvest. 25-40 days to maturity.

Blog – How to sow and grow salad leaves

Garden jobs to do this October

• Rake up fallen leaves and pile them into a bag or cage to rot down into free, crumbly leaf mould by next year.
• Snip the dried seed heads from your favourite flowers and veg, then store them somewhere cool and dry to sow again next year.
• Tuck up tender plants before the frosts arrive, bringing pots into the greenhouse and lifting dahlia tubers to store somewhere dry and frost-free.