Gardeners have a timely move that pays off before frost.
October opens a short, forgiving window for thrifty growers. Mild soil, cooler air and slower growth align in your favour. You gain fresh plants for pennies, more fragrance outdoors, and a steady supply of sprigs for the stove. One simple task now reshapes your winter and spring displays.
Why October gives you better odds
Soil still holds warmth after summer, while days run cooler. That combination reduces stress on cuttings. Transpiration eases, so stems lose less moisture. Semi-ripe wood sits at the perfect stage to push roots, not flowers. Pests and fungal pressure dip as daylight shortens.
Target 12–18°C air and a 10–15°C root zone. Expect first roots in 3–5 weeks and firm rootballs by week 6–8.
Cut now and you anchor plants before hard frost. They settle, then cruise through winter with minimal fuss. Many growers report 70–90% success when they strike cuttings before the first sharp freeze.
What you need and the 10-minute setup
- Sharp, clean secateurs or a sterilised knife
- Peat-free compost and sharp sand or perlite (50:50 mix)
- 9–10 cm pots or a seed tray with modules
- Tap water left to stand, or rainwater
- Clear cover: a recycled bottle dome or a lidded propagator
- Labels and a pencil
Choose semi-ripe stems
Pick healthy, non-flowering stems 8–12 cm long. They feel firm at the base and slightly flexible at the tip. Avoid tired wood and anything woody to the core. Morning cutting keeps turgor high.
Make clean cuts and prep fast
Cut just below a node. Strip leaves from the lower 3–4 cm. Leave only the top cluster intact. Lightly scrape one side of the base to expose a sliver of cambium. That nick encourages roots.
Skip rooting hormone if you like. Rosemary roots readily in a free-draining mix when moisture stays even, not wet.
Planting and aftercare that actually works
Mix compost and sand or perlite in equal parts. Fill pots and firm gently. Use a dibber to open a hole. Insert each cutting to the stripped section. Firm around the stem so it stands upright. Label the date and variety if known.
Water to settle the mix, then drain well. Fit a clear cover to hold humidity at leaf level. Keep pots bright but out of direct midday sun. A sheltered porch, cold frame, bright shed window or unheated conservatory suits the job.
Too much water kills more cuttings than cold. Let the top 1 cm of mix dry before you water again.
| Week | Task | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strike cuttings and cap with a clear cover | Leaves turgid, no pooling water in trays |
| 2 | Mist lightly, vent covers 30 minutes daily | No leaf yellowing, mix just moist |
| 3 | Water sparingly from the base if needed | First resistance when you tug gently |
| 4 | Increase light, remove cover by day | New growth at tips, no mildew |
| 5–6 | Pot on strong plants into 1-litre pots | White roots circling the plug |
| 7–8 | Harden off in a cold frame | Stems firm, foliage deep green |
Placement that pays you back all winter
Use the new plants where you pass daily. Brush past near a front door or along a path and the aroma lifts. Group three plants in a 40 cm trough for a simple, scented display. Dot pots on a sunny step to dry faster after rain.
In the ground, set 35–45 cm between plants. Pair with thyme, santolina, helichrysum and low grasses. Add hellebores for winter structure. Rosemary tolerates dry edges and shallow soil near walls. It rewards the spot with evergreen form and scent on every mild day.
Ten cuttings today can save £25–£40 by spring compared with shop-bought plants at £2.99–£4.99 each.
Mistakes to dodge and quick fixes
- Waterlogging: punch extra holes in pots, add more grit, and water less often.
- Deep shade: move to bright, indirect light to maintain compact growth.
- Floppy, weak stems: uncap for longer each day and reduce nitrogen in the mix.
- Grey mould on leaves: remove the cover earlier, space cuttings, and improve airflow.
- Frost threat: throw over horticultural fleece on freezing nights, or bring trays under cover.
Varieties and cold facts for the UK
Choose robust cultivars if your garden dips below -8°C. ‘Arp’ copes with sharp frosts. ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’ gives strong vertical habit for hedging. ‘Severn Sea’ sprawls and fills banks. ‘Tuscan Blue’ flowers well in mild gardens but needs shelter in exposed plots.
Rosemary generally rates hardy to around -10°C once established, and tougher selections push lower. Drainage matters more than air temperature in a wet winter. Plant on a slight mound, or raise containers on feet. Mulch with gravel to keep crowns dry.
From kitchen cuttings to spring hedging
You can strike stems from supermarket bunches if they look fresh and green at the base. Trim back to firm tissue and treat as above. Expect slightly lower takes than garden cuttings, yet a handful rooted on the windowsill still pays back in herbs and savings.
Simple numbers to guide you
- Stem length: 8–12 cm
- Planting depth: 3–4 cm to the first leaves
- Spacing in beds: 35–45 cm
- Light: 6+ hours of sun, or bright shade in winter
- Watering: small sips; keep the mix just moist
Extra gains you might not expect
Cuttings give you uniform plants that clip into a tidy, low hedge by late spring. Two lines, 30 cm apart, create a narrow, aromatic border along paths. Bees use the early flowers on warm February spells, especially near south-facing brick.
Cooks benefit too. One established plant yields 150–250 grams of sprigs over winter. Use woody stems as skewers for roasts. Blitz soft tips with oil and lemon for a quick marinade. Dry a portion on a rack near the boiler to stock up the spice jar.
Risk check and a fast back-up plan
If a sudden cold snap arrives, move trays to a bright windowsill indoors and reduce watering. Rooted cuttings tolerate short cold spells, but they hate sodden compost. Keep a second batch as insurance two weeks after the first. That stagger often guarantees enough plants for a spring project, even if an early freeze bites.
