Zone 9B — October
What to Plant in October in Zone 9B
October in Zone 9B:
1 crop to start indoors,
161 to plant or direct sow outside, and
5 entering harvest window.
About 9 winters in 10 freeze; in those winters the last frost averages February 7. Reference city: Miami, FL.
1 Start Indoors
161 Plant Outside
5 Harvest
Start Indoors in October
| Plant | Type | Start Indoors | Transplant Outside | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas 1015Y SuperSweet Onion | allium | Oct 11 | Jan 10 | Apr 25 – May 5 |
Plant Outside in October
| Plant | Type | Action | Target Date | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Early Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 11 |
| All Year Round Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| All Year Round Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 27 |
| America Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Asian Tempest Garlic | allium | Plant Out | Oct 1 | Apr 15, 2027 – Jun 15, 2027 |
| Astro Arugula (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 24 |
| Beauty Pink Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 10 |
| Beauty Purple Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 14 |
| Beauty White Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 24 |
| Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 30 |
| Blonde de Paris Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 6 |
| Blue Curled Scotch Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Bok Choy (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Boltardy Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Bouquet Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Broadleaf Classic Endive (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Broccolini (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Bull's Blood Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Burgundy Boston Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Buttercrunch Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Butterhead Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Calabrese Broccoli (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Calendula (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| California Bluebell (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Calypso Cilantro (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Canary Yellow Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Cascadia Sugar Snap Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Catalogna Chicory (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Champion Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 14 |
| Chantenay Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Charleston Wakefield Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Chengdu Garlic | allium | Plant Out | Oct 1 | Apr 15, 2027 – Jun 15, 2027 |
| Cherry Belle Radish (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 9 |
| Chervil (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 29 |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Chioggia Beet (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Copenhagen Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Creole Red Garlic | allium | Plant Out | Oct 1 | Apr 15, 2027 – Jun 15, 2027 |
| Crimson Forest Bunching Onions (fall planting) | allium | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Crosby's Egyptian Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Curly Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Cylindra Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Dark Green Romaine Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Delicatesse Blue Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Delicatesse White Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Detroit Dark Red Beet (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Di Cicco Broccoli (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 2 |
| Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Dukat Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Dutch Lamb's Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Dwarf Siberian Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Early Purple Broccoli (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Early Wonder Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Easter Egg Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 16 |
| Endive / Escarole (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Evergreen Bunching Onions (fall planting) | allium | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Fairy Dwarf Mix Candytuft Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Fenugreek (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Florida Broadleaf Mustard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| French Breakfast Radish (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 5 |
| French Lamb's Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| German Chamomile (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Giant Red Mustard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 29 |
| Golden Acre Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Golden Beet (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Golden Detroit Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Golden Globe Turnips (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Green Arrow Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Green Ice Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 29 |
| Green Mountain Celtuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Green Wave Mustard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 29 |
| Hailstone Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 14 |
| Hot Pink Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Igloo Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Inchelium Red Garlic | allium | Plant Out | Oct 1 | Apr 15, 2027 – Jun 15, 2027 |
| Kagraner Sommer Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 12 |
| Kuroda Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Lacinato Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Lacy Phacelia Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Leaf Lettuce Mix (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Little Fingers Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Little Gem Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 10 |
| Little Marvel Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 17 |
| Lollo Bionda Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Lollo Rossa Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 10 |
| Love-in-a-Mist Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Lunar White Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Magenta Sunset Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Mammoth Dill (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Marvel of Four Seasons Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Matador Viking Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 2 |
| Mesclun Mix (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 14 |
| Michihili Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Mild French Garlic | allium | Plant Out | Oct 1 | Apr 15, 2027 – Jun 15, 2027 |
| Minowase Daikon Radish (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Mizuna (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Mustard Greens (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Napa Cabbage (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Noble Giant Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Nutri-Red Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Old Fashion Mustard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Orange Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Oregon Giant Snow Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Oregon Sugar Pod Snow Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 22 |
| Paris Market Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Phacelia cover crop and bee forage (fall planting) | cover crop | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Premier Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Progress No. 9 Shelling Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 16 |
| Purple Haze Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 27 |
| Purple Plum Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 14 |
| Purple Top White Globe Turnip (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Rambo Radish Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Oct 30 |
| Rapeseed Cover Crop (fall planting) | cover crop | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Rapini Broccoli Raab (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Red Leaf Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Red Orach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 29 |
| Red Romaine Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Red Russian Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Royal Carpet Alyssum Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Ruby Red Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Salad Bowl Green Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Scarlet Flax Flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Shelling Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Shungiku (Edible Chrysanthemum) (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Slow-Bolt (Slo-Bolt) Cilantro/Coriander (fall planting) | herb | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 24 |
| Snow Crown Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Snow Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Snowball Self-Blanche Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Softneck Garlic | allium | Plant Out | Oct 1 | Apr 15, 2027 – Jun 15, 2027 |
| Sparkler Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 14 |
| Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Oct 29 |
| St. Valery Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Sugar Ann Snap Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Sugar Snap Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 5 | Dec 14 |
| Summer Bibb Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Swiss Chard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Tango Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 30 |
| Tatsoi (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 29 |
| Tendergreen Mustard (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Tendersweet Carrots (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Tom Thumb Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Très Fine Maraîchère Frisée (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Vates Kale (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Vienna Purple Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Vienna White Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 9 |
| Viola and pansy edible flowers (fall planting) | flower | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 24 |
| Violetta Purple Cauliflower (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| Wando Pea (fall planting) | legume | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 22 |
| Watermelon Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 19 |
| White Boston Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| White Detroit Beets (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| White Icicle Radishes (fall planting) | root vegetable | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Nov 14 |
| White Lisbon Bunching Onions (fall planting) | allium | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Winner Kohlrabi (fall planting) | brassica | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
| Winter Density Lettuce (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 14 |
| Winter Giant Spinach (fall planting) | lettuce | Direct Sow | Oct 15 | Dec 4 |
Harvest in October
| Plant | Type | Planted / Sown | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Turmeric | root vegetable | Feb 28 | Oct 26 – Dec 7 (before frost) |
| Ginger | root vegetable | Feb 28 | Oct 26 – Dec 7 (before frost) |
| Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| Rambo Radish Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Oct 15 | Oct 30 |
| Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens (fall planting) | microgreen | Oct 15 | Oct 29 |
Key Tasks for October in Zone 9B
- 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 Direct sow seeds at the recommended depth and spacing. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination is complete.
- 3 Begin fall cool-season planting window this month. Direct sow lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes now for harvest before hard frost.
- 4 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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