My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Indiana

In Indiana (IN), the average first fall frost (October 11) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 170 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 11; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b).

2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.

Dates here come from Indiana frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 11). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Indiana.

After the first frostSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 39

Indiana: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
25
32
3
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 24 – Oct 11
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 2 have one in October; the busiest month is April (78).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Indiana's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
ShallotPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 15 – Nov 1Opens Oct 15
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 22 – Nov 8Opens Oct 22

Harvesting in October

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

Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 6 – Oct 5Cucumber · Aug 28 – Oct 4Broccoli · Aug 31 – Oct 12Cauliflower · Aug 31 – Oct 17Cabbage · Aug 31 – Oct 27Bush Bean · Sep 4 – Oct 1Kale · Sep 4 – Oct 6Lettuce · Sep 5 – Oct 22Chayote · Sep 5 – Oct 5Brussels Sprouts · Sep 9 – Oct 26Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 10 – Oct 12Mizuna · Sep 10 – Oct 7Swiss Chard · Sep 11 – Oct 8Napa Cabbage · Sep 11 – Oct 23Mustard Greens · Sep 12 – Oct 14Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 12 – Oct 24Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 13 – Oct 25Carrot · Sep 14 – Oct 21Radicchio · Sep 14 – Nov 10Dill · Sep 15 – Oct 22Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 15 – Oct 22Pea · Sep 16 – Oct 18Collard Greens · Sep 16 – Oct 23Tatsoi · Sep 17 – Oct 19Beet · Sep 18 – Oct 25Radish · Sep 18 – Oct 13Spinach · Sep 19 – Oct 14Arugula · Sep 19 – Oct 16Kohlrabi · Sep 20 – Oct 22Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 20 – Oct 22Turnip · Sep 22 – Oct 29Chervil · Sep 22 – Oct 29Rutabaga · Sep 23 – Oct 20Borage · Sep 30 – Nov 6Parsley · Oct 1 – Nov 7Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 5 – Nov 11Watercress · Oct 9 – Nov 5Endive & Escarole · Oct 16 – Nov 17Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 20 – Nov 21

Planting dates for popular crops in Indiana

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Indiana

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 →

After the first frost: October garden jobs in Indiana

  1. The average first frost (October 11) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
  2. Plant garlic now (Oct 22 – Nov 8): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
  3. Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
  4. Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.

USDA zone chart for Indiana

Indiana spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Indiana in October?

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

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

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 22 – Nov 8 in Indiana.

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Indiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 27.

When is the first frost in Indiana?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 11 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Indiana in October?

From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale, lettuce, chayote, brussels sprouts.

← September in IndianaNovember in Indiana →Full-year Indiana planting calendar →Indiana frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

IllinoisIowaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Indiana’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.