Summer heat has finally broken in the rest of the country. They’re finally feeling some relief from some of the highest temperatures on record. But in Florida, we’re sweltering in the mid 80s, and being quietly steamed into submission by some much-needed rain. With Florida’s upside-down gardening schedule, you may be wondering what to plant in October.
Other Southern garden regions have the same dilemma. If you garden in New Orleans, Biloxi, or along coastal Texas, you know the gardening season has just really gotten underway.
That doesn’t mean it won’t get cold along the Gulf. It definitely will. But it usually doesn’t get cold enough to matter until late December or early January.
Last year gave us some really insane weather. It got REALLY cold, with rare damaging freezes. Cold enough to snow in Florida!
So, right now, in early October, the race is on to get roots in the ground and vegetables well established enough to survive any surprise cold snaps.
Knowing What to Plant in October
For years, I’ve drawn planting data from several sources, especially the University of UF/IFAS website. But I’ve also been collecting data from other experienced gardeners and nurseries that include expanded selections far outside the limited one provided by UF.
There exists a plethora of exotic edibles from far-flung regions with the same climate and similar conditions. Why not take advantage of those resources?
Other regions that seem to mirror our unique gardening environment include parts of Southeast Asia, Central America, South America, and coastal areas in Australia.
I’ve drawn planting suggestions from gardeners and farmers in these regions as well, for those like me who like to experiment with new and interesting vegetable varieties.
North Florida
October begins the limits on planting out in North Florida, unless you have a greenhouse or a nurturing microclimate on the coast and a south-facing wall.
Cold-weather vegetables should do well, but be prepared to cover anything tender you planted out last month:
- arugula
- Asian cabbages
- beets
- broad beans
- broccoli
- cabbage
- carrots
- cauliflower
- celery
- chicory
- chives
- collards
- English peas
- green onions
- kale
- kohlrabi
- lettuce
- mizuna
- mustard
- onion sets
- parsley
- radish
- rutabaga
- shallots
- spinach
- strawberry crowns
- turnips
Central Florida
The weather is still fine in Central Florida, and still warm enough to sneak in a few warm-season crops like tomatoes, summer squash, and melons.
For tomatoes, however, stick to fast-maturing determinates like Floradade and San Marzano — and get them in the ground as early in the month as possible.
Thankfully, it also gets cool enough for those plants to begin fruiting, as well. It’s also cool enough to consider planting herbs, peas, and lettuces.
- arugula
- Asian cabbages
- beans, bush
- beans, climbing
- beets
- broad beans
- broccoli
- cabbage
- carrots
- cauliflower
- celery
- chives
- collards
- cucumbers
- daikon
- English peas
- green onions
- kale
- kohlrabi
- lettuce
- mizuna
- mustard
- onion sets
- parsley
- potatoes
- pumpkins
- radish
- rosemary
- shallots
- snap peas
- snow peas
- spinach
- strawberry crowns
- summer squash
- thyme
- tomatoes
- turnips
- watermelons
South Florida
Summer vegetables are still a go-to for October gardening in South Florida. With few, if any, frosts, risk-taking gardeners can continue to plant out nearly anything their heart desires.
It’s still too warm for cold-loving plants like snap peas and some brassicas, but you can start these undercover to plant out next month if you like.
- Asian cabbages
- beans, climbing
- beets
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- cabbage
- carrots
- cauliflower
- celery
- chili peppers
- chives
- collards
- corn
- cucumbers
- eggplant
- English peas
- fennel
- green onions
- kale
- kohlrabi
- leeks
- lettuce
- mizuna
- mustard
- onion sets
- parsley
- peppers
- potatoes
- radish
- rapini
- rosemary
- sage
- shallots
- southern peas
- spinach
- strawberry crowns
- summer squash
- thyme
- tomatoes
- tropical spinach
- turnips
What to Plant in Florida Month-by-Month
For planning ahead for the Florida growing schedule, please check out my Florida Gardening Planner on Amazon. It provides a month-by-month list of edibles to plant out for every month of the year for the three regions of Florida (Zones 8, 9, 10), plus handy planning and garden design tools to help you move step by step for a productive gardening year.