Seasonal planting guide

What to plant in October in Southern California

October is a strong cool-season start along the Southern California coast and inland valleys. Microclimates vary — enter your ZIP for a calendar matched to your area, or browse highlights from our curated calendars.

Highlights below follow our Southern California calendar track. About 55 plants are in season for October on this track — your ZIP confirms the match for your neighborhood.

Try a sample ZIP

Tap one to fill the form, then see this month’s list for that area.

Highlights for October

A curated sample from our calendars — not the full list. Open any plant for month-by-month timing, or use your ZIP above for everything in season now.

Lettuce

Vegetables

Start seeds indoors Sow outdoors Transplant

Cool-season leafy green; transplants easily. UF/IFAS: North Jan–Feb & Sept–Oct; Central & South Sept–Feb. Leaf types suit Florida best.

Kale

Vegetables

Start seeds indoors Sow outdoors Transplant

Cool-season brassica. UF/IFAS outdoor: North & Central Sept–Feb; South Sept–Jan. Transplant or direct sow.

Collards

Vegetables

Start seeds indoors Sow outdoors Transplant

Heat-tolerant cool-season green. UF/IFAS: North Feb–Apr & Sept–Nov; Central Sept–Feb; South Sept–Jan.

Broccoli

Vegetables

Start seeds indoors Transplant

Cool-season transplant crop. UF/IFAS: North Aug–Feb; Central Sept–Feb; South Oct–Jan.

Cilantro

Herbs

Sow outdoors Transplant

Cool-season annual that bolts in heat. Best fall–winter; successive sowings. North Sept–Mar; Central Oct–Feb; South Oct–Feb.

Parsley

Herbs

Start seeds indoors Sow outdoors Transplant

Cool-season biennial grown as annual in Florida; plant in fall. North Sept–Mar; Central Sept–Feb; South Oct–Feb.

Dill

Herbs

Sow outdoors

Prefers mild weather (not extreme heat/cold). Cool-shoulder plantings similar to cilantro. North Feb–Apr & Sept–Nov; Central Oct–Mar; South Nov–Feb.

Chives

Herbs

Sow outdoors Transplant

Perennial allium; divide or transplant in cool seasons. North Feb–Apr & Sept–Oct; Central Oct–Mar; South Oct–Feb.

Calendula

Flowers

Start seeds indoors Sow outdoors Transplant

Cool-season annual; spring and fall sowings. Fades in midsummer heat. Approximate.

Pansy

Flowers

Transplant

Cool-season color. EP451: plant pansy/viola for chill months. North Sept–Nov transplants; Central Oct–Dec; South Nov–Jan.

Sweet alyssum

Flowers

Start seeds indoors Sow outdoors Transplant

Cool-season edging annual; spring/fall. Approximate SE cool-season windows.

Snapdragon

Flowers

Transplant

Cool-season annual (EP451). Transplant in fall for winter–spring bloom. North Sept–Nov; Central Oct–Dec; South Nov–Jan.

More seasonal guides

Calendars are curated from public Extension and USDA sources. See About & sources.