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Zone 8B — October

What to Plant in October in Zone 8B

October in Zone 8B: 0 crops to start indoors, 2 to plant or direct sow outside, and 21 entering harvest window. Last frost averages March 20. Reference city: Houston, TX.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
0 Start Indoors
2 Plant Outside
21 Harvest
Frost risk: High

Frost risk is still high in Zone 8B. The last spring frost typically lands on March 20, with the earliest plausible clearance around February 27. Hold tender crops indoors a while longer.

See full Zone 8B frost outlook →

Start Indoors in October

Nothing to start seeds indoors in October for Zone 8B.
Next window: January — 2 varieties, including Texas 1015Y SuperSweet Onion, Viola and pansy edible flowers.

Plant Outside in October

Plant Type Action Target Date Harvest Window
Elephant Garlic root vegetable Plant Out Oct 16 Apr 14, 2027 – Jun 13, 2027
Softneck Garlic root vegetable Plant Out Oct 16 Jun 13, 2027 – Jul 13, 2027

Harvest in October

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
Astro Arugula (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 25
Beauty Pink Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Beauty Purple Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Beauty White Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Black Seeded Simpson (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 31
Champion Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Cherry Belle Radish (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Chervil (fall planting) herb Sep 15 Oct 30
Easter Egg Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 17
French Breakfast Radish (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 13
Giant Red (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 30
Green Ice (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 30
Green Wave (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 30
Hailstone Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Mesclun Mix (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 15
Purple Plum Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Slow-Bolt (Slo-Bolt) Cilantro/Coriander (fall planting) herb Sep 15 Oct 25
Sparkler Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 15
Tango (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 25
Tatsoi (fall planting) lettuce Sep 15 Oct 30
White Icicle Radishes (fall planting) root vegetable Sep 15 Oct 25

Key Tasks for October in Zone 8B

  1. 1 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 8B planting calendar
September October in Zone 8B November

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