My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Minnesota

In Minnesota (MN), the average first fall frost (September 28) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 145 frost-free days a year (last frost May 6, first frost September 28; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a).

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

Dates here come from Minnesota frost dates (last frost May 6, first frost Sep 28). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Minnesota.

After the first frostSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 32

Minnesota: planting activity through the year

0
8
39
69
84
46
37
22
0
2
0
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: May 6 – Sep 28
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 May (84).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Minnesota'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 2 – Oct 19Oct 2 – Oct 19
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 9 – Oct 26Oct 9 – Oct 26

Harvesting in October

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

Cauliflower · Aug 18 – Oct 4Cabbage · Aug 18 – Oct 14Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 18 – Oct 17Peanut · Aug 21 – Oct 10Lettuce · Aug 23 – Oct 9Brussels Sprouts · Aug 27 – Oct 13Napa Cabbage · Aug 29 – Oct 10Mustard Greens · Aug 30 – Oct 1Fennel (Bulb) · Aug 30 – Oct 11Cilantro / Coriander · Aug 31 – Oct 12Carrot · Sep 1 – Oct 8Radicchio · Sep 1 – Oct 28Dill · Sep 2 – Oct 9Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 2 – Oct 9Pea · Sep 3 – Oct 5Collard Greens · Sep 3 – Oct 10Tatsoi · Sep 4 – Oct 6Beet · Sep 5 – Oct 12Spinach · Sep 6 – Oct 1Arugula · Sep 6 – Oct 3Kohlrabi · Sep 7 – Oct 9Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 7 – Oct 9Turnip · Sep 9 – Oct 16Chervil · Sep 9 – Oct 16Rutabaga · Sep 10 – Oct 7Chayote · Sep 17 – Oct 17Borage · Sep 17 – Oct 24Parsley · Sep 18 – Oct 25Green Onion / Scallion · Sep 22 – Oct 29Watercress · Sep 26 – Oct 23Endive & Escarole · Oct 3 – Nov 4Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 7 – Nov 8

Planting dates for popular crops in Minnesota

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Minnesota

Usually mid-September to mid-October, so roots grow before the ground freezes. Tulips can go in as late as you can get them into the soil. (University of Minnesota Extension) ↗

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 Minnesota

  1. The average first frost (September 28) 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 9 – Oct 26): 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 Minnesota

Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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 3May 15Sep 15120 days
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Minnesota 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 Minnesota in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 9 – Oct 26 in Minnesota, so do it before October 26.

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Minnesota have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 11.

When is the first frost in Minnesota?

The statewide average first fall frost is around September 28 and the last spring frost around May 6. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Minnesota in October?

From plantings made on time: cauliflower, cabbage, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, lettuce, brussels sprouts, napa cabbage, mustard greens, fennel (bulb), cilantro / coriander.

When should I plant spring bulbs in Minnesota?

Usually mid-September to mid-October, so roots grow before the ground freezes. Tulips can go in as late as you can get them into the soil. (University of Minnesota Extension). See the bulb planting guide for depth and spacing.

November in Minnesota →Full-year Minnesota planting calendar →Minnesota frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

IllinoisIndianaIowaMichiganMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Minnesota’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.