What to plant in October — zone 8b
Zone 8b averages its last spring frost around March 20 and its first fall frost around November 25. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Direct sow for fall
- Beetaround Oct 1
Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Dillaround Oct 1
Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Frost-tender — must finish before frost.
- Spinacharound Oct 6
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Lettucearound Oct 6
Counts back 50 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Radisharound Oct 9
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
- Cilantroaround Oct 11
Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Radisharound Oct 23
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
- Spinacharound Oct 27
Counts back 40 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy — light freezes sweeten it.
Transplant for fall
Sow cover crop
- Cover crop (cereal rye + crimson clover)around Oct 26
Sown a month before frost it germinates, holds your soil all winter, and feeds it in spring.
Plant to overwinter
- Onionaround Oct 28
In zone 7+ onion sets planted before frost overwinter for an early summer bulb.
Turn this into your own calendar
Get the full 12-month version for your exact ZIP — every sowing, transplant, and harvest window, with reminders you can add to your calendar. Free, no account needed to try.