My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Nevada

In Nevada (NV), the average first fall frost (October 10) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 173 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 10; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a).

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

Dates here come from Nevada frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Nevada.

After the first frostSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 38

Nevada 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.

Nevada: planting activity through the year

1
24
70
86
58
11
25
32
3
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 20 – Oct 10
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 (86).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Nevada'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 14 – Oct 31Oct 14 – Oct 31
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 21 – Nov 7Opens Oct 21

Harvesting in October

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

Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 2 – Oct 1Cucumber · Aug 27 – Oct 3Broccoli · Aug 30 – Oct 11Cauliflower · Aug 30 – Oct 16Cabbage · Aug 30 – Oct 26Chayote · Sep 1 – Oct 1Kale · Sep 3 – Oct 5Lettuce · Sep 4 – Oct 21Brussels Sprouts · Sep 8 – Oct 25Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 9 – Oct 11Mizuna · Sep 9 – Oct 6Swiss Chard · Sep 10 – Oct 7Napa Cabbage · Sep 10 – Oct 22Mustard Greens · Sep 11 – Oct 13Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 11 – Oct 23Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 12 – Oct 24Carrot · Sep 13 – Oct 20Radicchio · Sep 13 – Nov 9Dill · Sep 14 – Oct 21Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 14 – Oct 21Pea · Sep 15 – Oct 17Collard Greens · Sep 15 – Oct 22Tatsoi · Sep 16 – Oct 18Beet · Sep 17 – Oct 24Radish · Sep 17 – Oct 12Spinach · Sep 18 – Oct 13Arugula · Sep 18 – Oct 15Kohlrabi · Sep 19 – Oct 21Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 19 – Oct 21Turnip · Sep 21 – Oct 28Chervil · Sep 21 – Oct 28Rutabaga · Sep 22 – Oct 19Borage · Sep 29 – Nov 5Parsley · Sep 30 – Nov 6Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 4 – Nov 10Watercress · Oct 8 – Nov 4Endive & Escarole · Oct 15 – Nov 16Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 19 – Nov 20

Planting dates for popular crops in Nevada

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Nevada

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 Nevada

  1. The average first frost (October 10) 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 21 – Nov 7): 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 Nevada

Nevada spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a. 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 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days
Zone 10Jan 30Dec 15330 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Nevada 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 Nevada in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 21 – Nov 7 in Nevada.

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Nevada have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 23.

When is the first frost in Nevada?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 10 and the last spring frost around April 20. Nevada 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 Nevada in October?

From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, chayote, kale, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bok choy / pak choi.

← September in NevadaNovember in Nevada →Full-year Nevada planting calendar →Nevada frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

ColoradoIdahoMontanaUtahWyomingAlabamaAlaskaArizonaAll states →

Dates are computed from Nevada’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.