What to Plant in October in Zone 9

8 crops you can start in zone 9a & 9b during October. The dates are worked out from zone 9's typical frosts: last spring frost around Feb 15, first fall frost around Dec 5. Each crop links to its full dates for zone 9.

Start indoors in October

Seeds to start under lights or on a sunny sill this month. Dates are the indoor-start window for zone 9.

SnapdragonAug–DecFall

Sow or plant outside in October

What goes in the ground this month, either as seed or as a transplant. Dates are the planting-out window for zone 9.

Vegetables & herbs

GarlicPlant clovesOct–DecFall
LettuceSow or transplantOct 7–Oct 21Fall
RadishDirect sowOct 27–Nov 10Fall
SpinachDirect sowOct 12–Oct 26Fall
TurnipDirect sowOct 2–Oct 16Fall

Flowers

Daffodil (Narcissus)Plant bulbsSep–NovFall
RanunculusPlant bulbsOct–DecFall
SnapdragonTransplantOct–FebFall

← September in zone 9 · November in zone 9 →

Keep planning

Growing guides

Plan your bed

Not sure of your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.

October in other zones: zone 3, zone 4, zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8, zone 10, zone 11

Worth having in October

Nisaku NJP650 Hori-Hori Weeding KnifeDepth markings on the blade for planting bulbs and garlic at the right depth.Check price on Amazon →Agfabric 0.55oz Floating Row CoverLight enough to leave on through a cold night when a frost threatens early or late plantings.Check price on Amazon →FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling ComposterTwo chambers, so one batch finishes while you add fall leaves and scraps to the other.Check price on Amazon →

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What to plant in October in zone 9: lettuce, radish, turnip, daffodil (narcissus) and more

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What to plant in October in zone 9: 8 crops to start indoors or plant outside, including lettuce, radish, turnip, daffodil (narcissus), with exact dates for zone 9a and 9b.

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