October Vegetable Garden Seed Starting
October is the month when the garden clearly moves into its cool-season rhythm. Growth slows, daylight fades, and protection becomes just as important as planting. In many regions, October is less about starting new crops and more about supporting the ones already in the ground—while in warmer zones, it remains a prime window for winter vegetables. What you sow and protect now will determine how much you harvest through late fall and winter.
Zone-by-Zone Seed-Starting Guide for October
Listed by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones, warmest zones first:
Zone 11
(Where the annual low temperatures stay above 40°F / 4°C.)
- Continue sowing cool-season crops.
- Direct-sow lettuce, spinach, arugula, mustard, and Asian greens.
- Sow carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, and scallions.
- Plant brassica transplants for winter harvest.
- Sow peas and fava beans.
- Mulch lightly to protect soil moisture.
- Water consistently.
Zone 10
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach 30°F / -1°C.)
- Direct-sow leafy greens and root crops.
- Plant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale transplants.
- Sow peas and fava beans.
- Continue sowing herbs such as cilantro, dill, and parsley.
- Remove spent summer crops.
- Mulch beds to moderate soil temperature.
- Monitor moisture as rainfall patterns change.
Zone 9
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach 20°F / -7°C.)
- Continue sowing cool-season greens and roots.
- Direct-sow spinach, lettuce, arugula, radishes, carrots, and beets.
- Plant brassica transplants early in the month.
- Sow peas early in October.
- Use row cover if nights cool quickly.
- Keep soil evenly moist.
Zone 8
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach 10°F / -12°C.)
- Finish sowing fast-maturing greens early in the month.
- Plant spinach, lettuce, radishes, and Asian greens.
- Transplant hardy brassicas early.
- Sow peas at the beginning of the month.
- Install row covers or low tunnels.
- Mulch beds lightly.
Zone 7
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach 0°F / -18°C.)
- Limit sowing to early October.
- Direct-sow spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
- Transplant hardy greens and brassicas early.
- Use row covers or cold frames.
- Remove remaining summer crops.
- Prepare beds for winter protection.
Zone 6
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach -10°F / -23°C.)
- Avoid most new sowings.
- Protect existing greens and brassicas.
- Harvest remaining root crops.
- Use row cover, low tunnels, or cold frames.
- Mulch soil after hard freezes.
- Begin garden cleanup.
Zone 5
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach -20°F / -29°C.)
- Focus on frost protection and cleanup.
- Harvest remaining vegetables.
- Mulch beds heavily.
- Use cold frames or row covers to extend harvests.
- Remove spent plants.
- Prepare beds for winter.
Zone 4
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach -30°F / -34°C.)
- End outdoor sowing.
- Protect overwintering crops.
- Harvest roots and greens before hard freezes.
- Apply thick mulch.
- Use cold frames where possible.
- Begin winter bed preparation.
Zone 3
(Where the annual low temperatures can reach -40°F / -40°C.)
- Shift fully to winter protection.
- Harvest remaining crops.
- Mulch beds deeply.
- Use season-extension structures.
- Clean up garden debris.
- Prepare for winter dormancy.
Fall/Winter Transition: Looking Ahead
As October unfolds, the garden moves fully into its cool-season rhythm. Warm-season crops are finishing, and attention turns to protecting existing vegetables and preparing beds for winter. Continue planting late brassicas and hardy greens early in the month, use row covers or cold frames to extend harvests, and mulch to conserve soil warmth and moisture. By focusing on protection, succession planting, and early winter prep, you set the stage for steady harvests and a smooth transition into November’s slower, but still productive, garden season.
