My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Virginia

In Virginia (VA), October sits about 1 week before the average first fall frost (October 20). The state averages 188 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 20; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).

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

Dates here come from Virginia frost dates (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Virginia.

Fall garden seasonSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 38

Virginia 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.

Virginia: planting activity through the year

5
29
65
90
58
10
18
35
19
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 15 – Oct 20
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 (90).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Virginia'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 24 – Nov 10Opens Oct 24
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 31 – Nov 17Opens Oct 31

Harvesting in October

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

Zucchini / Summer Squash · Sep 1 – Oct 3Cucumber · Sep 6 – Oct 13Broccoli · Sep 9 – Oct 21Cauliflower · Sep 9 – Oct 26Cabbage · Sep 9 – Nov 5Bush Bean · Sep 13 – Oct 10Kale · Sep 13 – Oct 15Lettuce · Sep 14 – Oct 31Brussels Sprouts · Sep 18 – Nov 4Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 19 – Oct 21Mizuna · Sep 19 – Oct 16Swiss Chard · Sep 20 – Oct 17Napa Cabbage · Sep 20 – Nov 1Mustard Greens · Sep 21 – Oct 23Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 21 – Nov 2Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 22 – Nov 3Carrot · Sep 23 – Oct 30Radicchio · Sep 23 – Nov 19Dill · Sep 24 – Oct 31Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 24 – Oct 31Pea · Sep 25 – Oct 27Collard Greens · Sep 25 – Nov 1Tatsoi · Sep 26 – Oct 28Beet · Sep 27 – Nov 3Radish · Sep 27 – Oct 22Spinach · Sep 28 – Oct 23Arugula · Sep 28 – Oct 25Kohlrabi · Sep 29 – Oct 31Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 29 – Oct 31Turnip · Oct 1 – Nov 7Chervil · Oct 1 – Nov 7Rutabaga · Oct 2 – Oct 29Borage · Oct 9 – Nov 15Parsley · Oct 10 – Nov 16Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 14 – Nov 20Watercress · Oct 18 – Nov 14Endive & Escarole · Oct 25 – Nov 26Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 29 – Nov 30

Planting dates for popular crops in Virginia

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Virginia

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 Virginia

  1. The average first frost is October 20, about 1 weeks away. 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 Virginia

Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Virginia 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 Virginia in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 31 – Nov 17 in Virginia.

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Virginia have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 18.

When is the first frost in Virginia?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 15. Virginia 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 Virginia in October?

From plantings made on time: zucchini / summer squash, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bok choy / pak choi.

← September in VirginiaNovember in Virginia →Full-year Virginia planting calendar →Virginia frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

DelawareDistrict of ColumbiaMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvaniaWest VirginiaAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from Virginia’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.