Zone 7A — October

What to Plant in October in Zone 7A

October in Zone 7A: 1 crop to start indoors, 1 to plant or direct sow outside, and 3 entering harvest window. Last frost averages April 15. Reference city: Raleigh, NC.
1 Start Indoors
1 Plant Outside
3 Harvest

Start Indoors in October

Plant Type Start Indoors Transplant Outside Harvest Window
Garlic garlic Oct 10 Oct 17 Jun 14 – Jul 14

Plant Outside in October

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Garlic garlic Transplant Oct 17 Jun 14 – Jul 14

Harvest in October

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Crosne tubers crosne Apr 29 Oct 26 – Dec 5
Elephant garlic bulbs elephant garlic Apr 29 Oct 26 – Dec 25
Winter rye cover crop stands winter rye Apr 29 Oct 26 – Dec 5

Key Tasks for October in Zone 7A

  1. 1 Start 1 variety 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 Harden off transplants before moving outdoors — set them outside in a sheltered spot for increasing hours over 7–10 days before planting in the ground.
  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.
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