What to Plant in October — Zone 8

October is the closing stretch of zone 8's season — the average first frost (Nov 15) is only weeks past month's end, so this is fall-sowing and garlic-planting territory.

Fall planting — Counted back from the first fall frost.

🥬 Lettuce Sep 20 – Oct 18 45–60 days to maturity
🍃 Spinach Sep 20 – Oct 4 40–50 days to maturity
🌿 Arugula Oct 4 – Oct 18 30–40 days to maturity
🌶️ Radishes Oct 4 – Oct 18 22–30 days to maturity
🧅 Scallions Sep 20 – Oct 4 60–70 days to maturity
🧄 Garlic Oct 4 – Nov 1 plant cloves; harvest next summer
🥬 Bok Choy Sep 20 – Oct 4 45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Mustard Greens Sep 20 – Oct 4 35–45 days to maturity
🌿 Cilantro Sep 20 – Oct 4 45–55 days to maturity
🌾 Dill Sep 20 – Oct 4 40–55 days to maturity

Windows use zone 8's typical frost dates (Mar 15 / Nov 15). For your own city's dates, run the frost lookup — the planting calendar then localizes everything automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What can I plant outside in October in zone 8?

10 crops can go in the ground: lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, scallions, garlic, bok choy, mustard greens, and 2 more. Exact windows are in the tables above — early and late in the month can differ by a full frost date.

Is October the right time for tomatoes in zone 8?

The spring window has passed; tomatoes set out this late won't beat the Nov 15 average first frost to ripeness. Plan for next spring's seed-starting instead.

October in other zones

Zone 1Zone 2Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9Zone 10Zone 11Zone 12Zone 13

Zone 8, month by month

← September November → All months

Zone 8 frost dates near you

Birmingham, ALLittle Rock, ARAtlanta, GAMacon, GAShreveport, LAJackson, MSTupelo, MSLas Cruces, NM