What to Plant in October
USDA Zone 9a
Last frost: Feb 1 – Feb 15
Frost-free days: 250–300
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
Cilantro
Dill
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Lavender
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Kale
Lettuce
Spinach
Beans (bush)
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Onions (sets)
Garlic
Collards
Start Indoors 5
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Broccoli
Sep 1 – Oct 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
Sep 1 – Oct 1
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Cabbage
Sep 1 – Oct 1
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
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 12
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
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
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Oct 1–28
4 per sq ft
70–90 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 – Nov 15
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Broccoli
Oct 15 – Nov 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
Oct 15 – Nov 15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Cabbage
Oct 15 – Nov 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Direct Sow 14
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Beans (bush)
Aug 15 – Oct 1
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Carrots
Sep 1 – Mar 1
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Radishes
Sep 1 – Apr 1
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
Collards
Sep 1 – Feb 1
Beets
Sep 15 – Feb 15
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Cilantro
Oct 1 – Feb 1
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Dill
Oct 1 – Mar 1
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Parsley
Oct 1–8
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 – Feb 1
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Onions (sets)
Oct 1 – Jan 1
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Garlic
Oct 1 – Nov 15
9 per sq ft
180–240 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 Lettuce, Garlic, Kale straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Clean up spent crops to reduce overwintering pest and disease pressure.
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