What to Plant in October
USDA Zone 10b
Last frost: Jan 15 – Feb 1
Frost-free days: 300–365
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
Basil
Cilantro
Dill
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Lavender
Lemongrass
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Kale
Lettuce
Spinach
Peas
Beans (bush)
Beans (pole)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Corn
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Onions (sets)
Garlic
Tropical Crops
Start Indoors 2
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Kale
Sep 1 – Oct 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Sep 1 – Oct 1
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Transplant 14
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Basil
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lemongrass
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Tropical Crops
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Broccoli
Sep 15 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
Sep 15 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Cabbage
Sep 15 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Sage
Oct 1–28
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Lavender
Oct 1–28
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Kale
Oct 1 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Oct 1 – Feb 1
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Direct Sow 20
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Basil
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Tropical Crops
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Beans (bush)
Sep 1 – Nov 1
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Cucumbers
Sep 1 – Oct 1
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Sep 1 – Oct 1
Corn
Sep 1 – Oct 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Beans (pole)
Sep 15 – Oct 15
Carrots
Sep 15 – Mar 1
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Cilantro
Oct 1–28
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Dill
Oct 1–28
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Parsley
Oct 1–28
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Oct 1 – Nov 1
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Oct 1 – Feb 1
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Spinach
Oct 1 – Jan 15
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Beets
Oct 1 – Feb 1
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Radishes
Oct 1 – Mar 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Onions (sets)
Oct 1 – Dec 1
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Garlic
Oct 1–28
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Peas
Oct 15 – Jan 1
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
October Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Kale 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 Corn, Lettuce, Peas straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Clean up spent crops to reduce overwintering pest and disease pressure.
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