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Zone 10A — October

What to Plant in October in Zone 10A

October in Zone 10A: 4 crops to start indoors, 8 to plant or direct sow outside, and 2 entering harvest window. About 1 winter in 2 freezes; in those winters the last frost averages January 18. Reference city: Orlando, FL.
Updated August 12, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
4 Start Indoors
8 Plant Outside
2 Harvest
Frost risk: Possible

Frost is still possible in Zone 10A: about 1 winter in 2 reaches 32°F. In those winters, the last spring frost typically lands on January 18, with the earliest plausible clearance around December 24. Hold tender crops indoors a while longer.

See full Zone 10A frost outlook

Start Indoors in October

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Viola and pansy edible flowers flower Oct 26 Jan 4 Mar 5 – Mar 15
Green Onion allium Oct 12 Dec 14 Perennial — see plant page
King Richard Leek allium Oct 19 Dec 21 Mar 6
Leek allium Oct 19 Dec 21 Mar 31 – Apr 30

Plant Outside in October

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Asian Tempest Garlic allium Plant Out Oct 15 —
Chengdu Garlic allium Plant Out Oct 15 —
Creole Red Garlic allium Plant Out Oct 15 —
Inchelium Red Garlic allium Plant Out Oct 15 —
Mild French Garlic allium Plant Out Oct 15 —
Nantes Carrot (fall planting) root vegetable Direct Sow Oct 8 Dec 22
Softneck Garlic allium Plant Out Oct 15 Jun 12, 2027 – Jul 12, 2027
Sugar Snap Pea (fall planting) legume Direct Sow Oct 22 Dec 31

Harvest in October

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Culinary Turmeric root vegetable Feb 8 Oct 6 – Dec 5
Ginger root vegetable Feb 8 Oct 6 – Dec 5

Key Tasks for October in Zone 10A

  1. 1 Start 4 varieties indoors this month under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window. Use a seed-starting mix and bottom heat (70–75°F) for best germination rates.
  2. 2 Direct sow seeds at the recommended depth and spacing. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination is complete.
  3. 3 Check soil moisture before watering — stick a finger 2 inches into the soil. Water only when the soil is dry at that depth. Consistent moisture is more important than frequency.
Back to full Zone 10A planting calendar
August October in Zone 10A November

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