Autumn is firmly here — plant garlic and broad beans, harvest the last of summer's bounty, and prepare beds for the winter months ahead.
Plan every month with the UK vegetable planting calendar.
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
What to Sow Indoors in October
- Microgreens — quick-growing for indoor harvest through autumn and winter
- Winter salads and spinach — for growing under cover or in a cold frame
What to Plant Outdoors in October
- Garlic — plant cloves for next summer's harvest; October is the prime month
- Broad beans — sow Aquadulce Claudia for early summer harvest; overwinter plants crop 2–3 weeks earlier than spring-sown
- Overwintering peas — varieties like Douce Provence; cloche in colder regions
What to Harvest in October
- Pumpkins and squash — lift before hard frosts; cure in a warm, dry place for 10 days
- Beetroot — lift and store in boxes of slightly damp sand
- Leeks — harvest as needed; leave maincrop varieties in the ground
- Parsnips and swede — improve in flavour after frost; harvest as needed through winter
- Kale and Brussels sprouts — begin harvesting; both improve after cold weather
Key October Tasks
- Clear spent summer crops and incorporate compost or well-rotted manure
- Mulch beds with 5–10cm of compost to protect soil structure over winter
- Protect tender crops still in the ground with fleece or cloches
- Clean and store tools before winter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to plant onion sets in October?
No — overwintering onion sets are specifically planted in September and October so they can establish before winter and give an earlier summer harvest than spring-planted sets.
Can I sow spinach outdoors in October?
Not reliably — outdoor spinach sowing is best done by August or September at the latest. From October, grow it under cover in a cold frame or greenhouse instead.
What happens if garlic is planted too late in autumn?
Cloves need a period of cold to develop properly — planting much beyond November risks smaller bulbs at harvest, since there's less time in the ground before spring growth starts.
🌱 Did You Know? Overwintered broad beans are significantly more resistant to blackfly than spring-sown plants — they develop tougher stems and can be pinched out earlier, removing the soft growing tips that blackfly target.
Plan Your Whole Year
Month-by-month sowing and planting schedules for every UK crop.
Get the Garden PlannerLast updated 4 July 2026
What To Plant In October UK
In October, UK gardeners can sow broad beans in mild areas, hardy peas, green manures and winter salads under cover. You can start microgreens, herbs, lettuce and oriental leaves under cover, plant out garlic, autumn onion sets, shallots, spring cabbage and hardy salads, and harvest pumpkins, squash, leeks, kale, carrots, beetroot and maincrop potatoes.
| October task | Good UK options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | Broad beans in mild areas, hardy peas, green manures and winter salads under cover. | Check soil moisture and local frost risk before sowing. |
| Seeds to start indoors or under cover | Microgreens, herbs, lettuce and oriental leaves. | Protected sowings help you control temperature, pests and watering. |
| Vegetables to plant out | Garlic, autumn onion sets, shallots, spring cabbage and hardy salads. | Water transplants well and protect young plants where weather or pests are likely. |
| What to harvest | Pumpkins, squash, leeks, kale, carrots, beetroot and maincrop potatoes. | Harvest little and often, then record what clears space for the next crop. |
Vegetables to sow outdoors in October
Sow broad beans in mild areas, hardy peas, green manures and winter salads under cover. Use small repeat sowings where possible so the harvest is easier to manage and gaps do not sit empty.
Seeds to start indoors or under cover
Start microgreens, herbs, lettuce and oriental leaves under cover. This is useful when outdoor conditions are too cold, too dry, too exposed or too pest-prone for reliable germination.
Vegetables to plant out
Plant out garlic, autumn onion sets, shallots, spring cabbage and hardy salads. Match the planting window to your local weather and give new plants enough water while roots establish.
What to harvest in October
Harvest pumpkins, squash, leeks, kale, carrots, beetroot and maincrop potatoes. Keep notes on what performed well so next year's plan is based on your own garden rather than memory.
Jobs for the vegetable garden in October
Collect leaves for leaf mould, cover bare soil, clear finished crops, check stored harvests and protect hardy crops.
Common mistakes in October
Avoid planting garlic or onions into waterlogged ground, leaving squash outside through hard frost, storing damaged crops and leaving bare soil exposed all winter.
Printable monthly checklist
For October, write down four columns: sow outdoors, start under cover, plant out and harvest. Add one line for weather notes, one for bed space, and one for the next crop so the month turns into a practical plan.
Related UK planting guides
Use the vegetable planting calendar UK, compare what to plant in September UK and what to plant in November UK, then check when to plant potatoes UK, garden planning UK and winter gardening UK.
FAQ section
What vegetables can I plant in October in the UK?
In October, UK gardeners can sow broad beans in mild areas, hardy peas, green manures and winter salads under cover. You can start microgreens, herbs, lettuce and oriental leaves under cover, plant out garlic, autumn onion sets, shallots, spring cabbage and hardy salads, and harvest pumpkins, squash, leeks, kale, carrots, beetroot and maincrop potatoes.
What seeds can I sow outdoors in October?
In October, outdoor options include broad beans in mild areas, hardy peas, green manures and winter salads under cover. Adjust the list for your local soil, weather, frost risk and available protection.
Is October too late to plant garlic?
No. October is a normal garlic planting month in many UK gardens, as long as the soil is free-draining and not waterlogged.
Turn This Month's Jobs Into A Plan
Month-by-month advice works best when it becomes a written sowing list, bed plan, and follow-up task list.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.