October in Florida may not exactly feel like fall yet, but your garden knows the seasons are changing.
Here in Inverness and Citrus County, October opens the door to a whole new round of planting. Leafy greens, broccoli, herbs, strawberries, fall flowers, and more can all get their start this month.
Susan, our resident plant lady, checking out what's growing at Greens and Goodness.
And if you've shopped our plants at Greens and Goodness, you may already know Susan, our resident plant lady. She's the one you'll often find checking on the plants, tending to starters, or talking gardening with customers.
So if you've been wondering what to plant in October in Central Florida, grab your gardening gloves. There's plenty to get growing.
🥕 Vegetables to Plant in October in Central Florida
October is when the fall vegetable garden really starts getting fun.
According to the University of Florida's UF/IFAS planting recommendations for Central Florida, this month gives us a long list of vegetables to choose from.
Good choices for transplants include:
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Arugula
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Beets
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Broccoli
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Brussels sprouts
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Cabbage
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Cauliflower
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Chinese cabbage
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Collards
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Endive
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Kale
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Kohlrabi
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Lettuce
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Swiss chard
Starting with transplants gives you a little head start, especially if you'd rather put a small plant in the ground than wait for seeds to get going.
Plant from seed:
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Carrots
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Bulbing onions
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Bunching onions
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Radishes
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Turnips
There's something pretty satisfying about walking out to the garden and pulling your own carrots or radishes for dinner.
🌱 Susan Says: Start With What You'll Actually Eat
It's easy to get excited and want to plant a little bit of everything. But if you're just getting started, think about what you'll actually use in the kitchen.
Love salads? Start with lettuce and other leafy greens. Cook with collards or kale all winter? Give those a spot. Always reaching for fresh herbs? Save some room for those too.
A smaller garden filled with things you'll use is a pretty good place to start.
🍓 Yes, You Can Plant Strawberries in Florida in October
This one can be surprising if you're used to gardening farther north.
October is strawberry planting time in Central Florida.
Instead of waiting for spring, we plant strawberries in the fall so they can grow through our cooler Florida months.
And you don't need a big garden to try them. Strawberries can be grown in traditional garden beds, raised beds, and containers.
Keep new plants watered while they're getting established, and before long you could be picking strawberries right outside your door.
🌿 Herbs to Plant in October
Don't forget the herb garden.
October choices for Central Florida include:
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Parsley
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Cilantro
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Chives
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Garlic
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Sage
These are easy to work into a garden, raised bed, or a few pots near the kitchen.
🌱 Susan Says: You Don't Need a Big Garden
No big backyard? That's okay.
A few pots can give you plenty of room for herbs, strawberries, and even some vegetables. Find a sunny spot on the porch or patio and start there.
Sometimes a couple of pots are all you need to get hooked on growing your own food.
🌸 Add Some Fall Color
Ready to give the porch or flower beds a fall refresh?
October brings a nice selection of flowers for Central Florida gardens, including:
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Alyssum
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Baby's breath
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Bacopa
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Calendula
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Calibrachoa
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Dianthus
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Dusty miller
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Foxglove
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Geranium
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Petunia
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Snapdragon
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Strawflower
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Verbena
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Viola
Whether you're filling a garden bed, adding color around the yard, or putting together a few pots by the front door, there are plenty of ways to brighten things up as we head into cooler weather.
🌱 Don't Forget the Bulbs
October is also a good time to plant a few things you'll enjoy later.
UF/IFAS recommends agapanthus, rain lilies, and several types of lilies for Central Florida this month.
Give them a good start with the right location and well-prepared soil, then let them do their thing.
Plant them now, enjoy them later. We like that kind of gardening.
☀️ A Few October Garden Tips for Citrus County
October can be a funny month around here. The calendar says fall, but Florida doesn't always get the memo.
A few things to keep in mind:
Watch the water. Our summer rains start tapering off, so newly planted vegetables, herbs, flowers, and strawberries may need a little more attention.
Remember that new plants are still new plants. Even varieties that love cooler weather need consistent care while their roots get established.
Think ahead to your winter garden. Broccoli, collards, kale, lettuce, and other cool-season vegetables planted now can keep your garden producing as our temperatures finally start dropping.
Pay attention to your own yard. Sun, shade, soil, rain, and even different spots around the same property can make a difference.
🌱 Susan Says: Ask Questions
Not sure whether something will work in your yard? Ask.
You don't have to know everything before you start. Tell Susan what you're thinking about growing, how much sun you're working with, or what kind of space you have. She's always happy to talk plants and help you figure out where to start.
💚 What Will You Grow This October?
One of the fun things about gardening in Florida is that there's almost always something to plant.
October is when we start saying goodbye to some of our heat-loving summer plants and make room for leafy greens, herbs, strawberries, flowers, and other cool-season favorites.
If you're wondering what to add to your own garden, stop in and see what's growing at Greens and Goodness. Our plant selection changes with the seasons, so there's usually something new to discover.
And there's a pretty good chance you'll find Susan somewhere among the plants. 🌱
Come see us at:
Greens and Goodness Fresh Market
4445 S. Pleasant Grove Rd.
Inverness, FL 34452
Monday–Saturday: 9 AM–6 PM
Sunday: 10 AM–2 PM
Happy planting, Citrus County! 🌱💚
Planting recommendations in this guide are based on University of Florida UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions and the Central Florida Gardening Calendar. Every garden is a little different, so use these recommendations as a starting point and adjust for the conditions in your own yard.