15 vegetables to grow in October
7 comments / Tips , Vegetables to sow / By Jean Baptiste / September 25, 2021
And in October, the weather tends to fluctuate and differ depending on the region. However, it is generally still quite warm and there are a few rain showers here and there. However, autumn is here and winter is approaching. Some regions are becoming much cooler but there is still work to be done in the vegetable garden, I offer you a list of vegetables that you can grow in October.
The types of vegetables that are mainly planted and grown in October are those that have the ability to withstand winter and are therefore generally hardy. These plants must be selected for growth that can survive winter frosts. However, you can protect them from frost by taking a few steps.
If you plant your vegetables in October, you have the advantage of getting your harvest early in the spring.
They are unlikely to be harvested before early spring. Many plant shoots tend to become dormant during the winter season. You can sow your seeds in October when it is fall and the weather is a little mild, not too hot or too cold.
Now let’s see the list of 15 vegetables to grow in October:
1) Garlic
Garlic is one of the types best suited to being grown in the fall. The growing season for garlic is long and October is the best time to plant your garlic plant. If you plant garlic in October, you can harvest it until the summer season. It is a great vegetable to grow. By adding garlic, the taste of the dish is improved.
There are many garlic lovers and if you are one too, the best time to plant the seeds will be from October 15 or anytime before frost covers the ground.
It is a root crop and can survive cool weather because it is grown underground.
So garlic is a great option and you should try it for sure. You can cover your root plants with mulch to protect them and save them from the worst frosts that can happen.
2) Onion
Another vegetable that is best grown in October is onions. They have a long growing period and so if you plant them in October while it is the fall season, you can harvest them by the next summer season.
As they are root vegetables, they grow well underground in winter and are also hardy and therefore suitable for winters. Onions are good produce and one of people’s favorite vegetables.
It gives great flavor to every dish you prepare. You can bake them, fry them or even use them for salads. When preparing to plant more vegetables in spring, be careful where you plant them as they are roots and need to be underground, so make sure you don’t spoil the harvest.
Read also: How to grow peas from seeds?
3) Shallots
Shallots are another root vegetable that is very good to grow in October. They are different from onions because they have a mild flavor with a little hint of garlic flavor.
It is a fashionable and widely consumed root vegetable variety. They are also great to add to your kitchen and they are great to grow. If you grow them in October, you will get the harvest from spring.
4) Spring onion
Among root vegetables, spring onion is an amazing crop to grow. They are good to grow in October and can be harvested in early spring as they are a very fast growing root vegetable variety. Their greens and roots are both edible and have great flavor.
Spring onions add freshness to the dish and are very popular and common. You can use them in salads or you can use them as a side vegetable in your dish and any other way you want.
5) Carrots
Carrots come in many types but if you choose to grow baby carrots in October, you can get your harvest very early in the spring. They have a sweet flavor and are very good for salads. You can choose the best variety for you. Carrots are root vegetables and are hardy, so they easily survive the winter under the ground and because they grow quickly, you can get a good harvest right from the start.
6) Turnips
Turnips are root crops and can be grown in the fall so October is suitable for growing them. They grow very quickly. They are hardy and can be good in winter. Turnips are found in many varieties like purple turnips which turn purple due to exposure to sunlight. It can be grown for both its leaves and its roots.
The bulbous roots have a milder flavor but this depends on the type of turnip you are growing. They are cool weather crops and can grow quickly, so if you sow the seeds in October they will germinate in a few days and then you can see their green leaves in a month or so and the next month their bulbous roots will be ready to be harvest.
7) Beets
A very good winter crop full of nutrients is beets and they are also root crops. They are usually reddish pink in color and can be grown in October. In fact, this would be the best time to grow them as they do well in cool temperatures.
Read also: How to Grow Chervil from Seeds
They are grown in 2 cycles both in winter and summer. Beets grown in fall tend to have stronger color than in summer.
If you sow seeds in the fall, you can prepare for your harvest in early spring. While growing these root vegetables which are usually bulbous and bulky, make sure you give them enough space in the soil to grow.
If you sow seeds close together, they will not be able to grow to their full potential due to lack of available space. So sow them at least 3cm deep in the soil and 8cm apart for best results and enjoy an early harvest in spring.
8) Spinach
Spinach is a great crop to grow in October. If you plant them in the fall they will provide you with tender spinach leaves all winter and not only that, when the frost stops in early spring and the daylight hours lengthen they will continue to grow and much faster than before. You can harvest its long green leaves until summer.
They are full of nutrients and are amazing to consume as they can be cooked as vegetables and also a great option for salads. Not only do they give you a lot of harvests but also for a long time.
9) Kale or kale
Kale is a great crop to grow in the fall. It belongs to the cabbage family and has long edible leaves. If you plant the kale seeds in the fall, they will germinate at first, then when winter comes, they will stay put for the winters and when spring comes, they will be ready to harvest.
They are rich in nutrients and can be used in salads and vegetables and also provide you with an early harvest.
10) Lettuce
Lettuce is a good option to grow in October when winter arrives. They come in many shapes, colors and sizes. When planting them for winter, the best way to grow them is to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frames to help them grow better in winter.
When spring comes, when the frosts stop and the weather warms, they grow massively, giving you an early spring harvest. They have great nutritional value and you can choose to grow the variety that will best suit your region and preferences.
Read also: How to grow garlic in your vegetable garden
11) Lamb’s lettuce
It is not a very popular vegetable but it is very good for growing in winter. Lamb’s lettuce likes cold temperatures in fact it grows best in a cool climate. It can grow well even without good sunlight. For good germination you need a temperature of 18°C and it will be great if you plant them in October.
12) Beans
They are another great option to plant in October. If you sow bean seeds in October, i.e. in autumn, you can harvest them until spring. They don’t take much time to grow. They can survive winter conditions and will give you an early harvest in spring.
They are rich in nutrients and you can eat them by cooking them or grilling them a little with butter and you can even use them in salads.
13) Asparagus
Asparagus needs a little patience on your side to grow well. You can create a bed of asparagus in your garden. It takes about 2 years for them to be harvested. However, once you successfully create the asparagus bed, they can continue to grow for around 25 years.
So yes the growing time is a little longer at first but then you can continue to harvest them for so long. Choose the best variety of asparagus according to your region and preferences.
14) Winter Salads
You can grow salads in winter by sowing them in the fall and harvesting a crop in early spring. You can use salad varieties that can be cut. Not only will they provide you with tender leaves throughout the winter season but some of them will also increase their growth exponentially when winter arrives. To protect them from winter chills, you can cover them and let them grow throughout.
There are many varieties of salads and you can use them in salads and vegetables and enjoy nutritious winter salads from the vegetable garden.
15) Peas
Peas are a hardy crop and perfect for growing in winter. If you grow them in October, you can get an early harvest in early summer. They can survive the winter season and in early spring you can harvest the peas. There are many good varieties and they can be eaten in many ways.
And what are you growing in October?