What to Plant in October
Vegetables to sow or plant in October in every US region, by crop and by USDA zone
What to plant in October depends on where you garden. Across our 18 US regions, 17 have vegetables to sow or plant in October, from 1 vegetable in the Upper Midwest to 92 in Hawaii, while Alaska has no vegetable sowings this month. The first table lists every vegetable for each region and links to the region's October page, which adds herbs, fruit and flowers. Below it, the same month is set out crop by crop and then by USDA hardiness zone. Every list comes from the planting calendars behind our region pages and the Planting Season app.
What to plant in October in each US region
Each region plants on its own calendar, set by its frost dates and summer heat. Not sure which region you are in? Find your region by ZIP code, or check your last and first frost in the Frost Lookup.
| Region | Vegetables to sow or plant in October | Month page |
|---|---|---|
| North Florida USDA zones 9a to 9b | 48 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Parsnip, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 14 herbs. | October in North Florida 78 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Central Florida USDA zones 9b to 10b | 47 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Parsnip, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 14 herbs. | October in Central Florida 85 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| South Florida USDA zones 10a to 11a | 58 vegetables: Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans, Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Sweet Potato, Cantaloupe, Amaranth, Bitter Melon, Bok Choy, Cassava, Celeriac, Celery, Chayote, Daikon, Edamame, Fava Beans, Ginger, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Parsnip, Popcorn, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Taro, Tatsoi, Tomatillo and Turmeric. Also 24 herbs. | October in South Florida 122 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Gulf South USDA zones 8a to 9b | 48 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Parsnip, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 15 herbs. | October in Gulf South 79 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Desert Southwest USDA zones 7a to 10a | 46 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Hamburg Parsley, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Parsnip, Quinoa, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 11 herbs. | October in Desert Southwest 80 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Texas USDA zones 8a to 10a | 38 vegetables: Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Celeriac, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Hamburg Parsley, Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Napa Cabbage, Parsnip, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 11 herbs. | October in Texas 63 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Southern California USDA zones 9b to 10b | 54 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Arugula, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Globe Artichoke, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Parsnip, Quinoa, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Sorrel, Sunchoke, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 16 herbs. | October in Southern California 112 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Mid-South USDA zones 7a to 8b | 19 vegetables: Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Onion, Arugula, Bok Choy, Chicory, Endive & Escarole, Fennel (Herb), Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Radicchio, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. | October in Mid-South 25 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Pacific Northwest USDA zones 6b to 9a | 2 vegetables: Garlic and Shallot. | October in Pacific Northwest 7 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Northeast & New England USDA zones 5a to 7b | 2 vegetables: Garlic and Shallot. | October in Northeast & New England 17 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Mid-Atlantic USDA zones 6b to 8a | 40 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Garlic, Potato, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 14 herbs. | October in Mid-Atlantic 67 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Midwest & Great Lakes USDA zones 5a to 7a | 2 vegetables: Garlic and Shallot. | October in Midwest & Great Lakes 17 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Upper Midwest & Northern Plains USDA zones 3b to 5a | 1 vegetable: Garlic. | October in Upper Midwest & Northern Plains 6 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Mountain West USDA zones 5a to 7b | 1 vegetable: Garlic. | October in Mountain West 14 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Southern Plains USDA zones 5b to 7b | 40 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Garlic, Potato, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 14 herbs. | October in Southern Plains 67 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Northern California & Central Valley USDA zones 7b to 10a | 45 vegetables: Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Chicory, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Quinoa, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Shallot, Sorrel, Tatsoi and Watercress. Also 15 herbs. | October in Northern California 73 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Hawaii USDA zones 11b to 12b | 92 vegetables: Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans, Peas, Snow Peas, Okra, Southern Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Potato, Sweet Potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Amaranth, Arrowroot, Arugula, Asparagus, Bitter Melon, Bok Choy, Brazilian Spinach, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cassava, Celeriac, Celery, Chayote, Chicory, Daikon, Edamame, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Ginger, Globe Artichoke, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Jicama, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lima Beans, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, New Zealand Spinach, Parsnip, Peanuts, Popcorn, Quinoa, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Salsify, Scarlet Runner Bean, Scorzonera, Shallot, Sorghum, Sorrel, Sunchoke, Taro, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Turmeric, Water Chestnut, Watercress, Winged Beans and Yardlong Beans. Also 27 herbs. | October in Hawaii 187 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
| Alaska USDA zones 1b to 7b | No vegetable sowings this month. | October in Alaska 5 crops in all, including fruit and flowers |
Popular vegetables to plant in October, and where
The 36 crops on our regional sowing charts, with the regions where each can be sown or planted in October. Where our data has a crop set out as transplants, the month is a transplanting month. Each crop links to its plant page, which shows the full calendar for any region.
| Crop | Regions where it can be sown or planted in October |
|---|---|
| Tomato | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Bell Pepper | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Chili Pepper | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Eggplant | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Zucchini | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Squash | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Cucumber | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Pumpkin | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Sweet Corn | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Bush Beans | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Peas | 10 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Snow Peas | 10 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Okra | 1 region: Hawaii. |
| Southern Peas | 1 region: Hawaii. |
| Lettuce | 12 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Spinach | 12 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Swiss Chard | 9 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Kale | 12 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Collard Greens | 11 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Broccoli | 10 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Cabbage | 10 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Cauliflower | 10 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Carrot | 11 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Beet | 11 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Radish | 11 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Turnip | 11 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Onion | 10 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-South, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Garlic | 16 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Pacific Northwest, Northeast & New England, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest & Great Lakes, Upper Midwest & Northern Plains, Mountain West, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Potato | 8 regions: South Florida, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Sweet Potato | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Basil | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
| Cilantro | 11 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Parsley | 11 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. |
| Strawberry | 8 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Gulf South, Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California and Hawaii. |
| Watermelon | 1 region: Hawaii. |
| Cantaloupe | 2 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. |
What to plant in October by USDA zone
A USDA hardiness zone is a winter low, not a planting calendar, so one zone can run through regions whose sowing dates are weeks apart. This table lists the regions in each zone, with the number of vegetables each can sow in October and the vegetables that every region in the zone can sow. Each zone page has the full twelve-month calendar for its regions.
| Zone | Regions (vegetables this month) | Vegetables to sow in October |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Alaska (0) | No vegetable sowings this month. |
| Zone 3b | Upper Midwest & Northern Plains (1) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 4a | Upper Midwest & Northern Plains (1) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 4b | Upper Midwest & Northern Plains (1) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 5a | Northeast & New England (2) Midwest & Great Lakes (2) Upper Midwest & Northern Plains (1) Mountain West (1) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 5b | Northeast & New England (2) Midwest & Great Lakes (2) Mountain West (1) Southern Plains (40) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 6a | Northeast & New England (2) Midwest & Great Lakes (2) Mountain West (1) Southern Plains (40) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 6b | Pacific Northwest (2) Northeast & New England (2) Mid-Atlantic (40) Midwest & Great Lakes (2) Mountain West (1) Southern Plains (40) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 7a | Desert Southwest (46) Mid-South (19) Pacific Northwest (2) Northeast & New England (2) Mid-Atlantic (40) Midwest & Great Lakes (2) Mountain West (1) Southern Plains (40) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 7b | Desert Southwest (46) Mid-South (19) Pacific Northwest (2) Northeast & New England (2) Mid-Atlantic (40) Mountain West (1) Southern Plains (40) Northern California (45) Alaska (0) | No vegetable is in season in every region of this zone this month, so follow your own region's list. |
| Zone 8a | Gulf South (48) Desert Southwest (46) Texas (38) Mid-South (19) Pacific Northwest (2) Mid-Atlantic (40) Northern California (45) | 1 vegetable in every region of the zone: Shallot. |
| Zone 8b | Gulf South (48) Desert Southwest (46) Texas (38) Mid-South (19) Pacific Northwest (2) Northern California (45) | 1 vegetable in every region of the zone: Shallot. |
| Zone 9a | North Florida (48) Gulf South (48) Desert Southwest (46) Texas (38) Pacific Northwest (2) Northern California (45) | 2 vegetables in every region of the zone: Garlic and Shallot. |
| Zone 9b | North Florida (48) Central Florida (47) Gulf South (48) Desert Southwest (46) Texas (38) Southern California (54) Northern California (45) | 31 vegetables in every region of the zone, including Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic and 21 more. |
| Zone 10a | Central Florida (47) South Florida (58) Desert Southwest (46) Texas (38) Southern California (54) Northern California (45) | 18 vegetables in every region of the zone, including Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Turnip, Onion, Garlic, Bok Choy and 8 more. |
| Zone 10b | Central Florida (47) South Florida (58) Southern California (54) | 33 vegetables in every region of the zone, including Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot and 23 more. |
| Zone 11a | South Florida (58) | 58 vegetables, including Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans and 48 more. |
| Zone 11b | Hawaii (92) | 92 vegetables, including Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans and 82 more. |
Frequently asked questions
What vegetables can I plant in October?
It depends on your region. In October our calendars have vegetables to sow or plant in 17 of our 18 US regions. The most choice is in Hawaii (92), South Florida (58) and Southern California (54). Alaska has no vegetable sowings this month. Among popular crops, the widest windows this month are for garlic (16 regions), lettuce (12 regions) and spinach (12 regions). The table on this page lists every vegetable for each region.
Can I plant tomatoes in October?
Yes, in 2 of our 18 regions: South Florida and Hawaii. Everywhere else our calendars have no October planting for tomatoes.
Can I plant garlic in October?
Yes, in 16 of our 18 regions: North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, the Gulf South, the Desert Southwest, Texas, Southern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast and New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, the Upper Midwest, the Mountain West, the Southern Plains, Northern California and Hawaii. Everywhere else our calendars have no October planting for garlic.
How do I find what to plant in October where I live?
Enter your ZIP code in Find My Region to see which of our 18 regions you garden in, then open that region's October page for every crop you can sow, plant or start indoors this month. If you know your USDA zone, the zone table on this page shows the regions in it, but a zone is a winter low, so your region's frost dates decide the timing.
Other months: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · November · December. For the whole year in one place, see what vegetables to plant now across the US.