What to Plant in October
Charlotte, NC · Zone 7b
Last frost: Mar 25
Frost-free days: 230
First frost is coming — protect remaining tender crops and finish fall plantings. Plant garlic for next year. Focus on storage crops and season extension.
October at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Cilantro
Parsley
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Carrot
Cauliflower
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 2
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Spinach
Sep 9 – Oct 23
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Brussels Sprouts
Sep 16 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Transplant 7
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Parsley
Jul 17 – Oct 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Jul 17 – Oct 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Jul 17 – Oct 16
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Sep 1 – Oct 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
Sep 1 – Oct 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Lettuce
Sep 24 – Oct 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Oct 9 – Nov 23
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Direct Sow 7
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Carrot
Jan 17 – Oct 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Beet
Jul 17 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Jul 17 – Jan 8
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Peas
Sep 16 – Oct 16
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Cilantro
Sep 24 – Oct 31
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Radish
Sep 24 – Nov 8
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
October Gardening Tips
- Start Spinach, Brussels Sprouts indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Kale can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Garlic straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Clean up spent crops to reduce overwintering pest and disease pressure.
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