As the crisp autumn air begins to settle in and the days start to shorten, October is the perfect time to plant a variety of flowers, vegetables, and bulbs that will reward you with beauty and harvest in the months ahead.
Some plants thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall, and others need to establish their roots before winter sets in.
Over the years, I’ve learned which plants thrive when planted in October, and I’m excited to share this knowledge with you.
Whether you’re growing for a colorful spring garden or planning your cool-season vegetable harvest, here are 11 plants you must grow in October to ensure a successful garden.
1. Garlic
Garlic is one of those crops that really benefits from being planted in the fall.
By planting it in October, the cloves will develop strong roots before winter arrives and then stay dormant until the weather warms up in the spring.
When summer comes, you’ll be harvesting big, flavorful bulbs that are perfect for cooking.
I remember the first time I planted garlic—it was a spur-of-the-moment decision one cool October afternoon.
By the next July, I was pulling up enormous, fragrant bulbs, and I haven’t missed a fall garlic planting since.
Plant the cloves pointy side up, about 2 inches deep, and cover them with mulch to protect them from frost.
Garlic may be one of the easiest crops to grow, and the flavor is far superior to anything you’ll find in the store.
2. Pansies
Pansies are the perfect flower to plant in October if you’re looking for a splash of color through the cooler months.
These cheerful flowers are surprisingly hardy and can tolerate frost, making them ideal for fall and even winter blooms.
One year, I planted a variety of pansies around my front porch in October, and to my surprise, they kept blooming well into December!
They were like little bursts of sunshine during the shorter days.
If you plant pansies in the fall, they’ll often survive through the winter and continue blooming into the spring.
Make sure to plant them in well-drained soil, and they’ll reward you with their beautiful, long-lasting flowers.
3. Spinach
If you love fresh greens, October is the perfect time to plant spinach.
This cool-season crop thrives in the chillier temperatures of fall, and it’s actually more flavorful when grown in cooler weather.
I always make room for spinach in my fall garden because it’s one of those crops that can keep producing even when the weather gets frosty.
Plant spinach seeds about ½ inch deep and water them well.
Within a few weeks, you’ll have tender leaves ready for salads, stir-fries, or smoothies.
The great thing about spinach is that it can even survive through the winter in some regions, allowing you to harvest well into the colder months.
4. Tulips
For a stunning spring display, plant tulip bulbs in October.
Tulips need to be planted in the fall so they can establish their roots during the winter.
Come spring, they’ll reward you with vibrant, colorful blooms that are the hallmark of the season.
I’ve planted tulip bulbs every October for as long as I can remember, and each spring, I’m always amazed at the explosion of color they bring to the garden.
Plant the bulbs about 6-8 inches deep, pointed end up, in well-drained soil.
Tulips look best when planted in groups, so don’t be shy—plant them in clusters for a dramatic effect.
One of my favorite gardening memories is watching the tulips I planted in the fall emerge from the snow in early spring, a sure sign that warmer days are on the way.
5. Kale
Kale is another cool-weather crop that thrives when planted in October.
In fact, it gets sweeter as the temperatures drop.
This hardy green is one of my favorite plants to grow in the fall because it’s easy to care for, packed with nutrients, and can last well into the winter.
I’ve harvested kale from my garden in the middle of December after a light frost—it was some of the sweetest kale I’ve ever tasted!
Plant kale seeds about ¼ inch deep, and water regularly.
Within a few weeks, you’ll have healthy, flavorful greens that you can use in soups, salads, or even kale chips.
6. Daffodils
Much like tulips, daffodils need to be planted in October to bloom beautifully in the spring.
These classic spring bulbs are easy to grow and come in a variety of shades from bright yellow to soft pastels.
I always plant daffodils in clusters around the borders of my garden, and by early spring, they create a stunning display of color that lasts for weeks.
Daffodil bulbs should be planted about 4-6 inches deep, in well-drained soil.
They’re great for naturalizing, so if you plant them in a more relaxed pattern, they’ll return year after year, spreading out and multiplying.
One of the joys of my spring garden is watching the daffodils bloom each year, knowing I did the work back in October to make it happen.
7. Carrots
While many people think of carrots as a summer crop, October is actually a great time to plant them if you live in a milder climate or have a cold frame or greenhouse.
Planting carrots in October allows them to develop slowly during the cooler months, resulting in a sweeter, more flavorful crop.
Carrots that mature in cooler temperatures are usually the best-tasting!
I’ve found that planting a late crop of carrots in October gives me something to harvest in the early spring, just when I’m craving fresh produce the most.
Sow the seeds about ¼ inch deep in loose, well-drained soil.
Cover them lightly and keep the soil moist.
Soon, you’ll have tender, sweet carrots that taste better than anything you’ll find in the grocery store.
8. Crocus
If you want an early bloomer that heralds the arrival of spring, crocus bulbs are a must-plant in October.
These tiny but mighty flowers are some of the first to poke through the snow, adding vibrant color to your garden at the very beginning of spring.
I always tuck crocus bulbs around the edges of my garden beds, and they never fail to lift my spirits when they start blooming as early as February or March.
Plant crocus bulbs about 3-4 inches deep in well-drained soil, and they’ll come back year after year.
They’re perfect for naturalizing in lawns or under trees.
In one of my gardens, the crocuses have multiplied so much over the years that they’ve created a beautiful, almost magical carpet of flowers each spring.
9. Beets
Beets are another crop that thrives when planted in the cooler temperatures of fall.
October is an ideal time to plant them, as they can mature quickly in the cooler weather, and you can even harvest the greens before the roots are fully developed.
I love growing beets in the fall because the cooler temperatures result in sweeter, more flavorful roots.
Sow beet seeds about ½ inch deep in well-drained soil, and water regularly.
In a few short weeks, you’ll be able to start harvesting the greens, and the roots will follow soon after.
Beets are one of those vegetables that get better with a little frost, so don’t worry if the weather turns cold.
10. Peonies
If you’ve ever admired the lush, fragrant blooms of peonies, October is the perfect time to plant them.
Peonies need the cooler weather to establish their roots before they bloom in the spring.
I’ve planted peony roots in October, and by the following May, I was rewarded with massive, fragrant flowers that filled the garden with beauty.
When planting peonies, make sure to plant the roots shallow—only about 1-2 inches deep.
If you plant them too deep, they may not bloom.
Peonies are one of those perennials that get better with time, often lasting for decades, so it’s worth putting in the effort now to enjoy years of stunning flowers.
11. Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the easiest crops to grow in cooler weather, and October is the perfect time to plant it for a fall and early winter harvest.
I always make room for lettuce in my October garden because it grows quickly and thrives in the cooler temperatures.
Plus, there’s nothing like fresh, crisp lettuce straight from the garden!
Plant lettuce seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep the soil moist.
Within a few weeks, you’ll have tender leaves ready for salads or sandwiches.
Lettuce can even tolerate light frosts, making it a great choice for extending your growing season well into the fall.
Final Thoughts
October is one of the best times to plant a variety of flowers, vegetables, and bulbs that will reward you with beauty and harvest in the months to come.
Whether you’re planting garlic for a summer harvest, pansies for winter color, or tulips for a stunning spring display, there’s plenty to do in the garden as the temperatures start to cool.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the key to a successful garden is getting things in the ground at the right time—and for many plants, that time is October.
So, grab your gardening gloves and get to planting—you’ll be thanking yourself in a few short months!