What to sow and plant in October
32 crops on the list have something to do in October at 50.0°. These dates are not a fixed calendar: they are calculated from the estimated last spring frost for this latitude, so they move with your location.
The first autumn frost has usually passed at this latitude. What goes in now is either fully hardy, overwintering, or under cover — and clearing spent crops now removes next season's disease inoculum.
Sow direct outdoors(5)
Sown where the crop will grow. Soil temperature decides this more than the calendar does, so check the figure on each crop page before sowing.
Plant out(1)
Moved from pots to their final position. Harden plants off over a week first; a tender crop planted into cold soil stalls rather than grows.
Ready to harvest(27)
An approximate window from the sowing dates above. Each crop page carries the physical cue that beats any date.
- 🧅Onions2 Sept – 2 Oct
- 🥬Kale24 Jul – 21 Nov
- 🥬Brussels sprouts2 Oct – 11 Dec
- 🧅Leeks2 Oct – 11 Dec
- 🍆Aubergines23 Aug – 2 Oct
- 🍠Celeriac2 Oct – 21 Nov
- 🥕Parsnips2 Oct – 1 Dec
- 🥬Swiss chard29 Jun – 21 Nov
- 🍎Apple trees2 Oct – 21 Nov
- 🍐Pear trees22 Sept – 11 Nov
- 🍑Plums23 Aug – 17 Oct
- 🍒Cherries2 Sept – 1 Nov
- 🍑Peaches2 Sept – 1 Nov
- 🍐Quince12 Oct – 1 Dec
- 🍇Grapes2 Oct – 1 Dec
- 🫐Raspberries23 Aug – 1 Nov
- 🫐Blackberries22 Sept – 21 Nov
- 🫐Blackcurrants23 Aug – 12 Oct
- 🍒Redcurrants23 Aug – 7 Oct
- 🫐Gooseberries13 Aug – 2 Oct
- 🫐Blueberries2 Sept – 1 Nov
- 🌰Walnut trees12 Oct – 1 Dec
- 🌿Chives4 Jul – 21 Nov
- 🌸Dahlias3 Aug – 12 Oct
- 🌼Marigolds24 Jun – 2 Oct
- 🌺Lilies3 Aug – 2 Oct
- 🌸Sweet peas24 Jul – 2 Oct
What to watch for in October
Problems the database lists for this part of the year, most damaging first. Each one calculates live risk for your location on its own page.