What to plant in October in California
In California (CA), October sits about 7 weeks before the average first fall frost (December 1). The state averages 284 frost-free days a year (last frost February 20, first frost December 1; USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b).
20 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including beet, cilantro / coriander, bok choy / pak choi, borage, dill, fava bean (broad bean) - and 12 of those windows close during October.
Dates here come from California frost dates (last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant beet, lettuce or spinach in California.
California covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
California: planting activity through the year
Last chance in October
Beet (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 6) · Cilantro / Coriander (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 6) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Borage (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Dill (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Fava Bean (Broad Bean) (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Green Onion / Scallion (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Kohlrabi (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Lettuce (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Mache (Corn Salad) (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Mizuna (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13) · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 13)
For fall and winter harvests (20)
Sowings counted back from California's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 19 – Oct 6 | Last chance - ends Oct 6 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 19 – Oct 6 | Last chance - ends Oct 6 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 26 – Oct 13 | Last chance - ends Oct 13 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 3 – Oct 20 | Oct 3 – Oct 20 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 3 – Oct 20 | Oct 3 – Oct 20 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 3 – Oct 20 | Oct 3 – Oct 20 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 3 – Oct 20 | Oct 3 – Oct 20 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 3 – Oct 20 | Oct 3 – Oct 20 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 10 – Oct 27 | Oct 10 – Oct 27 |
| Watercress | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 10 – Oct 27 | Oct 10 – Oct 27 |
| Radish | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 17 – Nov 3 | Opens Oct 17 |
Harvesting in October
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in California
Every crop has its own full-year dates for California: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in October in California
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.
Fall garden season: October garden jobs in California
- The average first frost is December 1, about 7 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
- Still time to sow or plant: beet, cilantro / coriander, bok choy / pak choi, borage, dill, fava bean (broad bean). Fast greens and radishes are the safest bets this late.
- Row cover buys 4-6°F of frost protection and weeks of extra harvest - see season extension.
- Pull finished crops and sow a cover crop (cereal rye or crimson clover) into empty beds before the soil gets cold.
USDA zone chart for California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in California in October?
20 crops have a window in October: beet, cilantro / coriander, bok choy / pak choi, borage, dill, fava bean (broad bean), green onion / scallion, kohlrabi, lettuce, mache (corn salad) and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in California in October?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In California the next garlic window opens around December 12: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in California in October?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In California the next tomato window opens around December 26: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in California?
The statewide average first fall frost is around December 1 and the last spring frost around February 20. California covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in California in October?
From plantings made on time: zucchini / summer squash, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bok choy / pak choi.
What to plant in October in other states
Dates are computed from California’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.