My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Oregon

In Oregon (OR), the average first fall frost (October 18) falls in October itself. The state averages 181 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 18; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9a, 9b).

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

Dates here come from Oregon frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 18). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Oregon.

Fall garden seasonSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 40

Oregon 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.

Oregon: planting activity through the year

1
24
70
86
58
10
24
35
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 20 – Oct 18
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 Oregon'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 22 – Nov 8Opens Oct 22
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 29 – Nov 15Opens Oct 29

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 1Zucchini / Summer Squash · Aug 30 – Oct 1Chayote · Sep 1 – Oct 1Cucumber · Sep 4 – Oct 11Broccoli · Sep 7 – Oct 19Cauliflower · Sep 7 – Oct 24Cabbage · Sep 7 – Nov 3Bush Bean · Sep 11 – Oct 8Kale · Sep 11 – Oct 13Lettuce · Sep 12 – Oct 29Brussels Sprouts · Sep 16 – Nov 2Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 17 – Oct 19Mizuna · Sep 17 – Oct 14Swiss Chard · Sep 18 – Oct 15Napa Cabbage · Sep 18 – Oct 30Mustard Greens · Sep 19 – Oct 21Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 19 – Oct 31Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 20 – Nov 1Carrot · Sep 21 – Oct 28Radicchio · Sep 21 – Nov 17Dill · Sep 22 – Oct 29Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 22 – Oct 29Pea · Sep 23 – Oct 25Collard Greens · Sep 23 – Oct 30Tatsoi · Sep 24 – Oct 26Beet · Sep 25 – Nov 1Radish · Sep 25 – Oct 20Spinach · Sep 26 – Oct 21Arugula · Sep 26 – Oct 23Kohlrabi · Sep 27 – Oct 29Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 27 – Oct 29Turnip · Sep 29 – Nov 5Chervil · Sep 29 – Nov 5Rutabaga · Sep 30 – Oct 27Borage · Oct 7 – Nov 13Parsley · Oct 8 – Nov 14Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 12 – Nov 18Watercress · Oct 16 – Nov 12Endive & Escarole · Oct 23 – Nov 24Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 27 – Nov 28

Planting dates for popular crops in Oregon

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Oregon

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 Oregon

  1. The average first frost is October 18. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
  2. Still time to sow or plant: shallot, garlic. Fast greens and radishes are the safest bets this late.
  3. Row cover buys 4-6°F of frost protection and weeks of extra harvest - see season extension.
  4. 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 Oregon

Oregon spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Oregon 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 Oregon in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 29 – Nov 15 in Oregon.

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

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

When is the first frost in Oregon?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 18 and the last spring frost around April 20. Oregon 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 Oregon in October?

From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), zucchini / summer squash, chayote, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale, lettuce.

← September in OregonNovember in Oregon →Full-year Oregon planting calendar →Oregon frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

WashingtonAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutAll states →

Dates are computed from Oregon’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.