What to Plant in October
Sacramento, CA · Zone 9b
Last frost: Feb 10
Frost-free days: 303
Enjoy the cooler growing weather. Direct sow greens, root vegetables, and cover crops. Plant garlic and overwintering onions for next spring.
October at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Chives
Cilantro
Lavender
Mint
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Artichoke
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 19
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Brussels Sprouts
May 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Broccoli
Jul 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Jul 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jul 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Lettuce
Sep 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Sep 16 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Celery
Oct 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Later this month
Lavender
Oct 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Rosemary
Oct 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Oct 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Oct 24 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Kale
Oct 24 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Transplant 14
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Jan 1 – Oct 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Sep 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Sep 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Sep 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Sep 9 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Lettuce
Oct 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Later this month
Spinach
Oct 17 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Direct Sow 8
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Nov 8
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Beet
Jul 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Carrot
Jul 24 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Turnip
Jul 24 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Peas
Sep 24 – Dec 31
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Cilantro
Oct 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Radish
Oct 1 – Nov 15
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Potato
Oct 9–31
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
October Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Potato straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Clean up spent crops to reduce overwintering pest and disease pressure.
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