GreenlyWhat to plant in October in Texas
Worked out for 10 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in October in Texas, by zone: frost-free, highs above 82 °F (San Antonio, Corpus Christi and 1 more): zucchini, green beans, basil, bok choy and borage.
In Texas, October is fall.
Frost-free, highs above 82 °F: San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Brownsville
In October, on average, these cities have highs of 83 to 86 °F and lows of 64 to 71 °F, 2.4 to 3.1 in of rain on 8 to 11 days; the day lasts 11 h 30 min to 11 h 35 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.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Zucchini, green beans, basil, bok choy, borage | all |
Compared with September: no longer sown — cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano and 6 more.
Not starting in October: tomato (December, started indoors), bell pepper (December, started indoors), lettuce (November, started indoors), peas (November, sown direct) and spinach (no month outdoors by these rules) — dates for Corpus Christi.
Ready to harvest in October in Corpus Christi, 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 72–82 °F: Dallas, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth and 3 more
In October, on average, these cities have highs of 74 to 82 °F and lows of 51 to 65 °F, 1.1 to 5.4 in of rain on 4 to 10 days; the day lasts 11 h 20 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.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| plant cloves | Garlic | Lubbock and Amarillo |
| sow direct | Broad bean, peas, cabbage, beet, parsley, cilantro, arugula, chamomile, chickpea, dill, mustard greens | Lubbock and Amarillo |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | Lubbock and Amarillo |
| start indoors, plant out in November | Spinach, cauliflower | Lubbock and Amarillo |
| start indoors, plant out in November or sow direct | Lettuce, Swiss chard, kale, kohlrabi | Lubbock and Amarillo |
| sow direct | Carrot, parsnip | Amarillo |
| start indoors, plant out in December or sow direct | Broccoli | Lubbock and Amarillo |
| start indoors, plant out in December | Leek | Lubbock |
| sow direct | Zucchini, green beans, basil, bok choy, borage | Austin |
| start indoors, plant out in December | Brussels Sprouts | Lubbock and Amarillo |
| start indoors, plant out in November | Chicory | Amarillo |
| plant bulbs | Crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, tulip | Amarillo |
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 (January, started indoors) and bell pepper (January, started indoors) — dates for Fort Worth.
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.
- Moon planting calendar for October 2027
- What to plant in October: all climates
- Gardening in the United States: guide by region
Other months in Texas
- What to plant in October in the Northeast and Midwest
- What to plant in October in the South
- What to plant in October in Florida
- What to plant in October in California
- What to plant in October in the Pacific Northwest
- What to plant in October in the Southwest
- What to plant in October in the Mountain West
- What to plant in October in Canada
- What to plant in October in the UK
