What to plant in October in Delaware

In Delaware (DE), October sits about 1 week before the average first fall frost (October 22). The state averages 191 frost-free days a year (last frost April 14, first frost October 22; USDA zones 7a, 7b).

1 crop has a sowing or planting window this month: shallot.

Dates here come from Delaware frost dates (last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 22). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Delaware.

Fall garden seasonSow or plant: 1Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 38

Delaware: planting activity through the year

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 14 – Oct 22

Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 1 have one in October; the busiest month is April (89).

For fall and winter harvests (1)

Sowings counted back from Delaware'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
Shallot	Plant in fall (after first frost)	Oct 26 – Nov 12	Opens Oct 26

Harvesting in October

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Zucchini / Summer Squash · Sep 3 – Oct 5 Cucumber · Sep 8 – Oct 15 Broccoli · Sep 11 – Oct 23 Cauliflower · Sep 11 – Oct 28 Cabbage · Sep 11 – Nov 7 Bush Bean · Sep 15 – Oct 12 Kale · Sep 15 – Oct 17 Lettuce · Sep 16 – Nov 2 Brussels Sprouts · Sep 20 – Nov 6 Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 21 – Oct 23 Mizuna · Sep 21 – Oct 18 Swiss Chard · Sep 22 – Oct 19 Napa Cabbage · Sep 22 – Nov 3 Mustard Greens · Sep 23 – Oct 25 Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 23 – Nov 4 Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 24 – Nov 5 Carrot · Sep 25 – Nov 1 Radicchio · Sep 25 – Nov 21 Dill · Sep 26 – Nov 2 Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 26 – Nov 2 Pea · Sep 27 – Oct 29 Collard Greens · Sep 27 – Nov 3 Tatsoi · Sep 28 – Oct 30 Beet · Sep 29 – Nov 5 Radish · Sep 29 – Oct 24 Spinach · Sep 30 – Oct 25 Arugula · Sep 30 – Oct 27 Kohlrabi · Oct 1 – Nov 2 Mache (Corn Salad) · Oct 1 – Nov 2 Turnip · Oct 3 – Nov 9 Chervil · Oct 3 – Nov 9 Rutabaga · Oct 4 – Oct 31 Borage · Oct 11 – Nov 17 Parsley · Oct 12 – Nov 18 Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 16 – Nov 22 Watercress · Oct 20 – Nov 16 Endive & Escarole · Oct 27 – Nov 28 Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 31 – Dec 2

Planting dates for popular crops in Delaware

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Delaware: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant tomato in Delaware →When to plant lettuce in Delaware →When to plant garlic in Delaware →When to plant bell pepper in Delaware →When to plant carrot in Delaware →When to plant onion in Delaware →When to plant pea in Delaware →When to plant spinach in Delaware →Delaware frost dates by zone →

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Delaware

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.

Bulb planting guide by state, with depth and spacing →When to plant daffodils →When to plant tulips →

Fall garden season: October garden jobs in Delaware

The average first frost is October 22, about 1 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
Still time to sow or plant: shallot. 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.

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Delaware in October?

1 crops have a window in October: shallot. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant garlic in Delaware in October?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Delaware the next garlic window opens around November 2: plant in fall, after first frost.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Delaware in October?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Delaware have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 17.

When is the first frost in Delaware?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 22 and the last spring frost around April 14. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Delaware in October?

From plantings made on time: zucchini / summer squash, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bok choy / pak choi.

← September in Delaware November in Delaware →Full-year Delaware planting calendar →Delaware frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

District of Columbia Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia Alabama Alaska All states →

Dates are computed from Delaware’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.