My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Washington

In Washington (WA), the average first fall frost (October 15) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 178 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 15; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).

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

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

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

Washington 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.

Washington: planting activity through the year

1
24
70
86
58
11
24
33
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 20 – 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 (86).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Washington'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 2 – Oct 1Cucumber · Sep 1 – Oct 8Chayote · Sep 1 – Oct 1Broccoli · Sep 4 – Oct 16Cauliflower · Sep 4 – Oct 21Cabbage · Sep 4 – Oct 31Bush 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 Washington

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

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Washington

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 Washington

  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 Washington

Washington spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 Washington 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 Washington in October?

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

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

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

When is the first frost in Washington?

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

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

← September in WashingtonNovember in Washington →Full-year Washington planting calendar →Washington frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

OregonAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutAll states →

Dates are computed from Washington’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.