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What to plant in October in the South

Worked out for 46 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.

What to sow and plant in October in the South, by zone: frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F (Atlanta, Nashville and 29 more): garlic, broad bean, peas, onion, spinach and 17 more; frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F (Washington, D.C., Louisville and 13 more): garlic, broad bean, peas, onion, spinach and 15 more.

In the South, October is fall.

Frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F: Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Oklahoma City and 27 more

In October, on average, these cities have highs of 72 to 82 °F and lows of 52 to 67 °F, 2.6 to 4.7 in of rain on 6 to 9 days; the day lasts 11 h 17 min to 11 h 29 min (on the 15th).

No frost in October in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.

HowWhatWhere
plant clovesGarlicAtlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 16 more
sow directBroad bean, peas, cabbage, beet, parsley, cilantro, arugula, chamomile, chickpea, dill, mustard greensAtlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 25 more
plant setsOnion, shallotAtlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 25 more
start indoors, plant out in NovemberSpinachAtlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 20 more
sow direct or start indoors, plant out in NovemberLettuce, Swiss chard, kale, kohlrabiAtlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 25 more
sow directCarrot, parsnipAtlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 12 more
sow direct or start indoors, plant out in DecemberBroccoliAtlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and 25 more
start indoors, plant out in NovemberCauliflowerAtlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and 17 more
start indoors, plant out in DecemberLeekAtlanta, New Orleans, Birmingham (United States) and 10 more
sow directZucchini, green beans, basil, bok choy, borageNew Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mobile and 1 more
start indoors, plant out in DecemberBrussels SproutsAtlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and 17 more
start indoors, plant out in NovemberChicoryAtlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and 5 more
plant bulbsCrocus, daffodil, hyacinth, tulipFayetteville and Bowling Green

Compared with September: new — garlic, broad bean, peas, onion, spinach, lettuce, carrot, cabbage and 22 more; no longer sown — cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano and 6 more.

Not starting in October: tomato (February, started indoors) and bell pepper (February, started indoors) — dates for Wilmington.

Ready to harvest in October in Wilmington, if sown in the right month: zucchini (August), green beans (August), watermelon (July), pumpkin (June), sweet corn (July), basil (August), bok choy (August) and borage (August).

Frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F: Washington, D.C., Louisville, Baltimore, Lexington and 11 more

In October, on average, these cities have highs of 66 to 71 °F and lows of 48 to 58 °F, 3.0 to 4.2 in of rain on 7 to 11 days; the day lasts 11 h 13 min to 11 h 20 min (on the 15th).

No frost in October in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.

HowWhatWhere
plant clovesGarlicWashington, D.C., Louisville, Baltimore and 11 more
sow directBroad bean, peas, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, beet, parsley, cilantro, arugula, chamomile, dill, kohlrabi, mustard greensall
plant setsOnionall
start indoors, plant out in November or sow directSpinachall
sow directRadish, daikonWashington, D.C., Baltimore, Lexington and 7 more
sow directCarrot, chickpea, kale, parsnipRichmond, Greensboro, Virginia Beach and 1 more
start indoors, plant out in NovemberCauliflower, chicoryVirginia Beach
plant setsShallotRichmond, Greensboro, Virginia Beach and 1 more
start indoors, plant out in DecemberBrussels SproutsVirginia Beach
plant bulbsCrocus, daffodil, hyacinth, tulipWashington, D.C., Louisville, Baltimore and 9 more

Compared with September: new — garlic, radish, carrot, daikon, parsnip, chicory, crocus, daffodil and 2 more; no longer sown — leek, zucchini, green beans, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, bok choy and 9 more.

Not starting in October: tomato (March, started indoors), bell pepper (March, started indoors), zucchini (April, started indoors) and green beans (May, sown direct) — dates for Lexington.

Ready to harvest in October in Lexington, if sown in the right month: zucchini (August), green beans (August), watermelon (July), pumpkin (June), sweet corn (July), basil (August), arugula (September) and bok choy (August).

How we work it out

For each city we use its average weather in October and the months after (highs, lows and rain for 2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo) and its average frost dates. A crop starts in October if the month's mean temperature reaches the minimum soil temperature for germination on its card (we use the mean air temperature as a stand-in for the soil's) and if, over its first months (up to three), the average highs stay within its group's range, with no frost for crops that cannot take it. Crops started indoors count from the month they are planted out.

Temperature groups from Colorado State University Extension: cool-season crops prefer 60–80 °F and lose quality in heat; hardy ones grow in days as cool as 40 °F, semi-hardy ones from 40–50 °F (we use 50 °F); warm-season crops need days above 55 °F, and the most tender (tomato, pepper, eggplant, melon, watermelon, squash) above 60 °F, up to 95 °F. Crops the guide does not name go into the stricter group by their frost hardiness. Fava (broad) beans, which the guide does not name, count as hardy: hardy varieties are sown in fall and overwinter (RHS). Garlic and bulbs: a month before the first frost, and later only while the ground is not frozen (as on each city's page).

This is a general rule from averages: your garden can be a week or two earlier or later, and a greenhouse or a cold frame brings the season forward. Greenly works out the dates for your location.

Other months in the South