What to plant in October in Florida
In Florida (FL), October sits about 8 weeks before the average first fall frost (December 10). The state averages 301 frost-free days a year (last frost February 12, first frost December 10; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a).
31 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole - and 12 of those windows close during October.
Dates here come from Florida frost dates (last frost Feb 12, first frost Dec 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant bush bean, carrot or kale in Florida.
Florida 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.
Florida: planting activity through the year
Last chance in October
Bush Bean (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 1) · Carrot (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 1) · Kale (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 1) · Radicchio (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 1) · Collard Greens (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 8) · Endive & Escarole (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 8) · Napa Cabbage (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 8) · Parsley (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 8) · Pea (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 8) · Swiss Chard (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 8) · Beet (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 15) · Cilantro / Coriander (sow for a fall crop, by Oct 15)
For fall and winter harvests (30)
Sowings counted back from Florida'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 14 – Oct 1 | Last chance - ends Oct 1 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 14 – Oct 1 | Last chance - ends Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 14 – Oct 1 | Last chance - ends Oct 1 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 14 – Oct 1 | Last chance - ends Oct 1 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 21 – Oct 8 | Last chance - ends Oct 8 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 21 – Oct 8 | Last chance - ends Oct 8 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 21 – Oct 8 | Last chance - ends Oct 8 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 21 – Oct 8 | Last chance - ends Oct 8 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 21 – Oct 8 | Last chance - ends Oct 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 21 – Oct 8 | Last chance - ends Oct 8 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 28 – Oct 15 | Last chance - ends Oct 15 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Sep 28 – Oct 15 | Last chance - ends Oct 15 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 5 – Oct 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 22 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 12 – Oct 29 | Oct 12 – Oct 29 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 12 – Oct 29 | Oct 12 – Oct 29 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 12 – Oct 29 | Oct 12 – Oct 29 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 12 – Oct 29 | Oct 12 – Oct 29 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 12 – Oct 29 | Oct 12 – Oct 29 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 19 – Nov 5 | Opens Oct 19 |
| Watercress | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 19 – Nov 5 | Opens Oct 19 |
| Radish | Sow for a fall crop | Oct 26 – Nov 12 | Opens Oct 26 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Oct 1
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 Florida
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Florida: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in October in Florida
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 Florida
- The average first frost is December 10, about 8 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
- Still time to sow or plant: bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole. 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 Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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 Florida in October?
31 crops have a window in October: bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole, napa cabbage, parsley, pea, swiss chard and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Florida in October?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Florida the next garlic window opens around December 21: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Florida in October?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Florida the next tomato window opens around December 18: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in Florida?
The statewide average first fall frost is around December 10 and the last spring frost around February 12. Florida 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 Florida in October?
From plantings made on time: zucchini / summer squash, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, ginger, turmeric.
What to plant in October in other states
Dates are computed from Florida’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.