What to plant in October in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania (PA), the average first fall frost (October 10) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 162 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 10; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.
Dates here come from Pennsylvania frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Pennsylvania's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
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 Pennsylvania
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Pennsylvania: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in October in Pennsylvania
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.
After the first frost: October garden jobs in Pennsylvania
- 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.
- Plant garlic now (Oct 21 – Nov 7): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
- Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
- 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania in October?
No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 21 – Nov 7 in Pennsylvania.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania in October?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Pennsylvania have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 6.
When is the first frost in Pennsylvania?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 10 and the last spring frost around May 1. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania in October?
From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bok choy / pak choi.
What to plant in October in other states
Dates are computed from Pennsylvania’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.