What to Plant in Phoenix in October

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What to Direct Sow in October in Phoenix

These crops go directly in the ground from seed. No transplants needed.

• Lettuce (all types) — Direct sow October 1–15. Germinate in 7–10 days. Begin cut-and-come-again harvest in 4–5 weeks.
• Kale — Direct sow October 1–15. Very cold-tolerant, produces all winter.
• Arugula — Direct sow October 1. Fast-growing, harvest in 3–4 weeks. Spicy flavor gets more intense in cold weather.
• Spinach — Direct sow October 1–15. Needs our coolest temperatures; best in November–January.
• Swiss chard — Direct sow October 1–15 or transplant.
• Carrots — Direct sow October 1–15. Thin to 2 inches apart once sprouted. Harvest January–February.
• Radishes — Direct sow October 1. Ready in 3–4 weeks — fastest crop in the fall garden.
• Beets — Direct sow October 1–15. Both roots and greens are edible.
• Snap peas & snow peas — Direct sow October 15–31. Need a trellis. Harvest January–February.
• Cilantro — Direct sow October 1. Self-seeds prolifically — plant once and it returns for years.
• Dill — Direct sow October 1.

What to Transplant in October in Phoenix

These crops are best started as transplants. Start seeds indoors in September, or buy transplants from a nursery in October.

• Broccoli — Transplant October 15–31. Ready in 90–100 days, so harvest mid-January into February. Needs daytime temps under 75°F to form heads.
• Cauliflower — Same timing as broccoli. More finicky — needs consistent cool temperatures.
• Cabbage — Transplant in October. Harvest January–February.
• Onions — Direct sow seed October 1–November 15. Sets and transplants wait until December 1–February 1.

Potatoes? The Extension calendars list potatoes for January 1–March 1, not October. That said, I've had great success planting seed potatoes in October for a May harvest. Just be ready to cover them on freeze nights. Details in growing potatoes in Phoenix.

What to Start in September for October Transplanting

If you want to grow broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage from seed (cheaper than buying transplants), start them indoors in September. A bag of seed-starting mix and a few seed-starting cell trays are all you need. The rest of the cool-season kit, including frost cloth and pea trellis netting, is on the Phoenix garden gear page.

• Start broccoli/cauliflower seeds indoors: September 1–15
• Transplant outdoors once they have 4–6 true leaves: October 15–31

October Week-by-Week Planting Calendar

Watering Your Phoenix Fall Garden

Fall garden watering is much more forgiving than summer. In October, you'll water 2–3 times per week at most. As temperatures drop further in November–January, once or twice a week is often enough for most crops.

Continue using drip irrigation if you have it set up — just adjust the timer frequency downward. Fall gardens are at far less risk of overwatering stress than summer gardens, but consistent moisture is still important for germination and root development.

Common Mistakes in the Phoenix Fall Garden

• Planting into heat: Early September is usually still too hot for good germination. The UA Extension calendar allows September sowing for many cool-season crops once the heat breaks, but October is the safest bet.
• Not thinning seedlings: Carrots especially need aggressive thinning to 2 inches apart or the roots won't size up properly.
• Overwatering in cool weather: Fall plants need far less water than summer crops. Adjust your drip timer in October.
• Skipping mulch: A light layer of mulch helps moderate soil temperature during occasional cold nights in December and January.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables can I plant in October in Phoenix?

In October you can direct sow lettuce, kale, arugula, spinach, Swiss chard, carrots, radishes, beets, cilantro, dill, and snap peas. You can also transplant broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, and direct sow onion seed. October is the second-most important planting month in Phoenix.

Is it too late to plant anything in October in Phoenix?

Not at all — October is the best fall planting month. Temperatures finally drop below 95°F, opening the entire cool-season vegetable window. By November you'll be harvesting salad greens; by December you'll have a full fall garden producing.

Do I need to worry about frost when planting in October in Phoenix?

Not in October itself: NOAA 1991–2020 normals put even the early (1-in-10-years) first freeze in the Valley in mid-to-late November or later. But what you plant now is still in the ground during frost season, and the East Valley's median first freeze is around December 10, so keep frost cloth handy from late November for young transplants and frost-tender crops (see Phoenix frost dates). The bigger October concern is the opposite — making sure temperatures are cool enough for good germination, which is why October is the top planting month.

Should I plant tomatoes in October in Phoenix?

No. Tomatoes are planted in Phoenix February 15–March 15 for spring and July 15–August 1 for fall. October is the start of the cool season — perfect for leafy greens, root vegetables, brassicas, and peas, but not warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers.

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