What to plant in October in Wyoming
In Wyoming (WY), October sits about 31 weeks before the average last frost (May 20). The state averages 118 frost-free days a year (last frost May 20, first frost September 15; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 6a).
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic - and 2 of those windows close during October.
Dates here come from Wyoming frost dates (last frost May 20, first frost Sep 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Wyoming.
Wyoming 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.
Wyoming: planting activity through the year
Last chance in October
Shallot (plant in fall (after first frost), by Oct 6) · Garlic (plant in fall (after first frost), by Oct 13)
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Wyoming'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 Wyoming
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Wyoming: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in October in Wyoming
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.
A planning month: October garden jobs in Wyoming
- Order seed while stock is good. Wyoming's average last frost is May 20, so the first indoor sowings begin around February 25 - see starting seeds indoors.
- Sketch this year's beds and move each crop family to a new spot - the garden planner and the crop rotation guide make it quick.
- Test old seed: roll ten seeds in a damp paper towel for a week. If fewer than seven sprout, sow thicker or buy fresh.
- If the ground isn't frozen, spread compost now so it's worked in by spring, and send off a soil test - October is when labs are quiet.
USDA zone chart for Wyoming
Wyoming spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 6a. 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming in October?
No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Sep 26 – Oct 13 in Wyoming, so do it before October 13.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Wyoming in October?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Wyoming have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 25.
When is the first frost in Wyoming?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 15 and the last spring frost around May 20. Wyoming 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 Wyoming in October?
From plantings made on time: cabbage, leek, radicchio, salsify, turnip, chervil, celery, luffa (loofah gourd), borage, peanut.
What to plant in October in other states
Dates are computed from Wyoming’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.