My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island (RI), the average first fall frost (October 15) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 173 frost-free days a year (last frost April 25, first frost October 15; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a).

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

Dates here come from Rhode Island frost dates (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Rhode Island.

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

Rhode Island: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
24
34
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 25 – Oct 15
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 Rhode Island'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 19 – Nov 5Opens Oct 19
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 26 – Nov 12Opens Oct 26

Harvesting in October

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

Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 7 – Oct 6Cucumber · Sep 1 – Oct 8Broccoli · Sep 4 – Oct 16Cauliflower · Sep 4 – Oct 21Cabbage · Sep 4 – Oct 31Chayote · Sep 6 – Oct 6Bush Bean · Sep 8 – Oct 5Kale · Sep 8 – Oct 10Lettuce · Sep 9 – Oct 26Brussels Sprouts · Sep 13 – Oct 30Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 14 – Oct 16Mizuna · Sep 14 – Oct 11Swiss Chard · Sep 15 – Oct 12Napa Cabbage · Sep 15 – Oct 27Mustard Greens · Sep 16 – Oct 18Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 16 – Oct 28Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 17 – Oct 29Carrot · Sep 18 – Oct 25Radicchio · Sep 18 – Nov 14Dill · Sep 19 – Oct 26Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 19 – Oct 26Pea · Sep 20 – Oct 22Collard Greens · Sep 20 – Oct 27Tatsoi · Sep 21 – Oct 23Beet · Sep 22 – Oct 29Radish · Sep 22 – Oct 17Spinach · Sep 23 – Oct 18Arugula · Sep 23 – Oct 20Kohlrabi · Sep 24 – Oct 26Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 24 – Oct 26Turnip · Sep 26 – Nov 2Chervil · Sep 26 – Nov 2Rutabaga · Sep 27 – Oct 24Borage · Oct 4 – Nov 10Parsley · Oct 5 – Nov 11Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 9 – Nov 15Watercress · Oct 13 – Nov 9Endive & Escarole · Oct 20 – Nov 21Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 24 – Nov 25

Planting dates for popular crops in Rhode Island

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island

  1. The average first frost (October 15) 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 26 – Nov 12): 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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 26 – Nov 12 in Rhode Island.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Rhode Island in October?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Rhode Island have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 28.

When is the first frost in Rhode Island?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 15 and the last spring frost around April 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Rhode Island in October?

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

← September in Rhode IslandNovember in Rhode Island →Full-year Rhode Island planting calendar →Rhode Island frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

ConnecticutMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireNew YorkVermontAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from Rhode Island’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.