7 Vegetables to Direct Sow in October

Many gardeners often view October as a month of winding down and preparing for the upcoming winter. Yet, it’s a prime time for many to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, mainly because many vegetables thrive in the cool temperatures this month offers. Also, direct sowing now ensures a steady harvest through the cooler months.....PROCEED.FULL.READING>>>

Unearth the magic of autumn gardening and explore seven vegetables eager to root themselves in October’s embrace!

Carrots
carrots in a basket

Carrots thrive best during the cooler seasons. When preparing to sow these vibrant root vegetables, ensure your soil is without rocks and sizable clumps that might obstruct their growth, and plant the seeds at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch.

Carrots relish a full sun exposure, soaking in about eight hours daily. As for hydration, they appreciate a consistent inch of water weekly, but be cautious not to oversaturate the soil.

They germinate best within a temperature range of 45 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. For optimal growth, consider planting your carrots 10 to 12 weeks prior to the first expected frost. With patience and care, you’ll see a bountiful harvest between 55 and 100 days.

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Source: Purely Organic
Purely Organic Heirloom Carrot Seeds

Best Carrot Seeds

These organic carrot seeds from Purely Organic come from the Scarlet Nantes variety, which grow into carrots about six to eight inches long with a crisp snap. Each pack costs about $4.50 and comes with about 1,500 seeds.

Kale
Kale

Kale is a superhero among superfoods, and it flourishes during the cooler seasons. This leafy green craves a blend of partial to full sun, basking in six to eight hours of daily sunlight. Hydration also plays a pivotal role. Maintain consistently moist soil without oversaturating — 1 to 2 inches a week should suffice.

While baby kale might grace your plates in just 25 days, mature leaves take anywhere from 60 to 150 days. For an optimum yield, cultivate in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Sow the seeds between ¼ to ¾ inch deep and expect germination within 6 to 10 days.

Kale grows best in temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Source: Purely Organic
Purely Organic Heirloom Kale Seeds

Best Kale Seeds

These heirloom kale seeds from Purely Organic are of the Vates Blue Scotch Curled variety, and each pack (costing around $5) has about 600 seeds for your fall garden.

Parsnips
parsnips on a table

While carrots often steal the spotlight, parsnips bring a unique sweet and earthy taste to the table, intensifying after the first frost. And like their carrot relatives, they thrive in cool seasons.

When planting parsnips, press the seeds about ½ inch into the soil. They love bathing in full sun for six to eight hours per day and drink up about an inch of water weekly.

For best germination results, aim for soil temperatures between 50 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit, though they can sprout in conditions as cool as 48 degrees Fahrenheit. After planting, anticipate a flavorful harvest in 100 to 120 days.

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Source: Gardeners Basics
Gardeners Basics Heirloom Parsnip Seeds

Best Parsnip Seeds

Parsnip seeds cost more than carrots, but for some their own unique taste can’t be ignored. This pack of Harris Model heirloom seeds contains about 200 seeds and costs about $6, which is one of the better deals out there.
Lettuce
butterhead lettuce in organic garden

Lettuce stands out as a cool, crispy delight that thrives in the cool season. When you’re ready to sow, simply press the seeds between ⅛ to ¼ of an inch into the soil and give them a gentle dusting of soil on top. Find a location that gets five to six hours of sunlight daily for these greens to thrive.

And just like their leafy counterparts, they thirst for a consistently moist environment, soaking up 1 to 2 inches of water weekly. In addition, while lettuce seeds can sprout at a chilly 35 degrees Fahrenheit, they germinate best between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once you plant them, keep an eye out for baby leaves as early as 25 days and fully mature heads around 60 days.
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Source: RDR Seeds
RDR Seeds Buttercrunch Lettuce

Best Lettuce Seeds

This 500-pack of heirloom buttercrunch lettuce seeds will grow sweet and crunchy lettuce for your fall harvest. These seeds notably grow reliably and quickly, and they’re priced competitively.
Cabbage
Cabbage plant in garden

When planting cabbage, sow the seeds about ¼ inch into the soil and ensure they bask in full sun for six to eight hours daily. Additionally, they have a notable thirst, especially when the weather turns dry so give them 2 inches of water per square foot every week.

For best growth, maintain the soil temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. These seeds sprout anywhere from a cool 45 degrees Fahrenheit to a warm 85 degrees Fahrenheit. After sowing, mark your calendar, as you can expect a harvest between 60 and 95 days.
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Source: Axel’s Garden Seeds
Axel’s Heirloom Cabbage Seeds

Best Cabbage Seeds

These cabbage seeds from Axel’s Garden Seeds are of the Copenhagen Market variety, and each pack has about 500 seeds. They grow quickly and produce robust cabbage heads.
Broccoli
harvesting broccoli

Broccoli, another star in the cruciferous lineup, thrives in the cool season. When sowing directly, plant the seeds about ½ inch into the ground in an area that receives full sun for six to eight hours per day. In addition, quench its thirst with 1 to 1 ½ inches of water every week.

To get ahead of the first fall frost, sow the seeds between 85 to 100 days in advance. These seeds show versatility, germinating in temperatures ranging from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Broccoli is ready for harvest in as early as 45 days, stretching up to 70 days.
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Source: Purely Organic
Purely Organic Heirloom Broccoli Seeds

Best Broccoli Seeds

These Broccoli seeds from Purely Organic are from the Waltham 29 variety produce sizable heads and stems that taste delicious. Each pack costs about $7 and has about 750 seeds for plenty of planting.
Cauliflower
closeup of cauliflower

Cauliflower, affectionately known as broccoli’s lighter-hued sibling, is a champion of the cool season. To plant, sow the seeds about ½ inch into the soil.

This veggie loves soaking up six to eight hours of full sunlight daily and, much like its green counterpart, ensure the soil remains uniformly moist with 2 inches of water per square foot weekly.

For best results, plant cauliflower six to eight weeks ahead of the first frost, but only if daytime temperatures stay consistently below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These robust seeds sprout in a temperature range of 45 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

After planting, anticipate a harvest window stretching from 45 to 75 days.
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Source: Gardeners Basics
Gardeners Basics Heirloom Cauliflower Seeds

Best Cauliflower Seeds

This pack of cauliflower seeds from Gardeners Basics are of the Snowball Y Improved variety that create robust and bright-white heads. Each pack comes with about 100 seeds and costs about $5.
Leaf It to October

October might seem like an unconventional month for gardening, but these vegetables prove otherwise. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there’s something incredibly satisfying about tending to your garden and reaping the rewards in the colder months.

Have you tried sowing any of these vegetables in October? Share your experiences, tips, and recipes in the comments below. And don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. After all, the more, the merrier… especially in the garden!

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