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What to Plant in Florida in October: 35+ of the Best Vegetables & Herbs to Plant

If you’re a gardener who is new to the state, you may not realize what to plant in Florida in October. In fact, October is an excellent time to start a vegetable garden in Florida, especially if you want to enjoy fresh vegetables all winter long!

October is a great time to plant cool-weather vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower. These vegetables will grow well in the cooler temperatures of winter and will provide you with plenty of fresh produce throughout the season. October is also an ideal time to plant leafy greens, such as spinach and kale. These greens will thrive in the cooler weather and will provide you with nutritious, healthy food all winter long!

October is the beginning of the biggest growing season in Florida. The weather is cooling down, making it the perfect time to plant a wide variety of vegetables. Florida temperatures are mild enough through the fall and into the winter to support a variety of vegetables that will provide you with plenty of fresh produce throughout the season.

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The soil in Florida is still warm in October, which means your plants will grow quickly and will be ready to harvest sooner than they would be if you planted them in other months. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get fresh vegetables on your table, October is the perfect time to start a garden in Florida!

compost and soil for the garden - what to plant in Florida in October

Fertilizing Vegetables

Fertilizing is important in Florida because the state’s sandy soil doesn’t hold nutrients well. Adding a fertilizer and organic material to your vegetable garden in October will help ensure that your plants have all the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

Fall is a good time to test the soil in your garden so you can pinpoint exactly which nutrients you need. You can find soil test kits at your local garden center or online. Once you know which nutrients your soil is lacking, you can add the appropriate fertilizer to your garden in October.

Organic materials, such as compost, also help improve the quality of Florida’s sandy soil. Compost is full of nutrients that plants need to grow, so it’s an excellent addition to any vegetable garden. You can make your own compost at home or you can purchase it from a local garden center.

Adding organic material to your garden will help improve drainage and aeration, which is important in Florida’s sandy soil. It will also help hold nutrients in the soil so your plants can access them more easily.

Best Soil for Vegetables

The best soil for vegetables is loose, well-drained, and rich in organic matter. Florida’s sandy soil can easily be amended to make it ideal for growing vegetables. The sandy soil base ensures your garden drains easily, which is important to avoid a number of garden diseases and pests.

Adding a layer of organic mulch to your garden will also help improve the quality of your soil. Mulch helps protect the soil from erosion and keeps it cool and moist, which is ideal for growing vegetables. You can find organic mulches, such as wood chips or straw, at your local garden center or tree company.

transplanting herb plants - what to plant in Florida in October

Now is the Best Time to Plant Herbs

October is the perfect time to plant herbs in Florida. The cooler nighttime temperatures mean better germination rates for a wide variety of herb seeds. Herbs such as oregano, rosemary, and thyme will do well in the cooler weather of October and will provide you with plenty of fresh herbs to use all winter long!

Herbs are a great addition to any vegetable garden. Not only do they add flavor to your food, but they also have many companion planting benefits. Herbs can help repel pests, improve the flavor of other vegetables, and even attract beneficial insects to your garden.

When planting herbs in October, be sure to choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Herbs need at least six hours of sunlight per day to thrive. If you’re not sure where to plant your herbs, try using a south-facing windowsill or a sunny spot in your yard.

Herbs can be planted in the ground or in containers. If you’re using containers, make sure they are at least 12 inches deep so your herbs have enough room to grow.

When planting herbs, be sure to water them well and fertilize them with a high-quality organic fertilizer.

Best Herbs to Plant in Florida in October

  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Lemon Balm
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Tarragon
  • Thyme
strawberry plants - what to plant in Florida in October

Plant Strawberries Before Late October

If you want to plant strawberries in your garden, October is the month to do it in Florida. The cooler weather of October is ideal for strawberry plants, and you’ll have fresh strawberries as soon as December.

When choosing strawberry plants or bareroots for your garden, look for varieties that developed for Florida and require minimal chill hours. These varieties will do well in the warm weather of Florida and will produce fruit earlier than other varieties.

Some of the best strawberry varieties to plant in October in Florida include ‘Camarosa,’ ‘Sweet Sensation®,’ and ‘Festival.’

To learn more about planting strawberries in Florida, visit the UF/IFAS Growing Strawberries website.

what to plant in Florida in October

What to Plant in Florida in October

Florida is known for its warm weather and beautiful beaches, but did you know that October is an excellent time to plant vegetables? The cooler weather of October is perfect for a wide variety of vegetables, including herbs, leafy greens, and root crops. By planting a garden in October, you’ll have plenty of fresh vegetables to enjoy all winter long!

Here are some of the best vegetables to plant in Florida in October:

North Florida

  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Chinese Cabbage
  • Collards
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Mustard
  • Onion (Short day)
  • Radish
  • Spinach
  • Turnip

Central Florida

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Chinese Cabbage
  • Collards
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Endive
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Mustard
  • Onion (Short day)
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Radish
  • Spinach
  • Squash
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnip

South Florida

  • Beans
  • Celery
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Endive
  • Eggplant
  • Peas
  • Pepper
  • Squash
  • Tomato
vegetable garden - what to plant in Florida in October

Final Thoughts

October is an excellent time to start a vegetable garden in Florida, especially if you are looking for a variety of fresh vegetables to enjoy all winter long. There are many vegetables that can be planted during this month, so gardeners who are not familiar with the state should have no trouble finding something that grows well in their area.

By planting a garden in October, you will also benefit from the cooler nighttime temperatures, which leads to better germination rates for herb seeds. Herbs make great additions to any vegetable garden and provide many benefits such as repelling pests and attracting beneficial insects.

When planting herbs, be sure to choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight. If you’re not sure where to plant them, try using a south-facing windowsill or a sunny spot in your yard.

Strawberries can also be planted in October in Florida and will produce fruit by December. When choosing plants or bareroots for your October vegetable garden, look for varieties that developed specifically for Florida and require minimal chill hours.

No matter what vegetables you decide to plant in your Florida garden this October, we wish you all the best of luck!