What to plant in October: vegetables & flowers

What to sow in October

Discover some of the vegetables and flowers to plant this month and prepare yourself for colour- and flavour-rich beds.

From flowers to vegetables, October is a great time to make early sowings and plantings. Here’s a list of our favourite seeds to sow this month for a head start on the year ahead – plus top tips on how and where to plant them.

Vegetables to sow in October

Flowers to sow in October

1. Vegetables to sow in October

Cauliflower

Common name: Cauliflower
When to sow: Indoors in winter, plant out in spring
Position: Full sun
Cultivation notes: Fertilise and water regularly. Keep the soil slightly acidic with a pH value of 6.5-7.5.

Cauliflower has a reputation for being sensitive to temperature and a bit tricky to grow, so prepare your soil well. We recommend early-summer cropping cultivars like ‘Snowball’ for sowing under glass now.

Sow in multi-celled trays 2cm deep in moist, peat-free seed or multi-purpose compost.
Thin out to one seedling per cell.
Keep undercover in a greenhouse or cold frame.
Plant out in spring, around 75cm (2.5 ft) apart.

Onions

Common name: Onion
When to sow: Late September to October
Position: Full sun
Cultivation notes: Keep soil moist and weed regularly for thriving bulbs.

Onions are hugely versatile. From French onion soup to onion tart, onions can take centre stage, be a great side dish or flavour-filled condiment. Plus, they’re easy to grow. We recommend autumn-planting onion varieties including ‘Radar’.

Plant the sets (small onions) into fertile soil, 10-15cm apart, in full sun.
Plant just below the soil surface, with only the tips showing.
Allow 30cm between rows.
You shouldn’t need to water in winter, but check your moisture levels in spring – onions need plenty of it.

2. Flowers to sow in October

Phacelia

Common name: Scorpionweed
When to sow: Early October
Position: Full sun
Cultivation notes: Cover seeds well with soil, when planting. Darkness is key for successful germination.

This hardy annual’s lavender-blue flowers are a hit with bees and other pollinators. We suggest you scatter your seeds into gaps in your borders if your phacelia are there purely to attract bees and insects.

Sow phacelia seeds 10cm apart.
Thin them to 30cm a few weeks later.
For cut flowers, plant into a well-prepared seed bed.

Orlaya grandiflora

Common name: White Laceflower
When to sow: September - October
Position: Full sun to light shade
Cultivation notes: Keep seed trays indoors or in the greenhouse during winter and plant seedlings outside in spring.

Another plant that insects love, orlaya grandiflora is better known as white laceflower. It’s a great choice for wildlife gardens, with clusters of delicate, pure white flowers and a long flowering period. Grow it in a sunny, open position in well-drained soil.

Sow your orlaya grandiflora seeds in a seed tray, at least 6 inches deep to leave adequate space for the roots
Bring your containers indoors or into a greenhouse during the winter months.
Plant the seedlings outside in the spring.

Wallflower

Common name: Wallflower
When to sow: Late August to October
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Cultivation notes: Add mulch after sowing the seeds to retain moisture. These flowers are easy to grow and have a beautiful frangrance.

It’s the ideal time for planting out spring-bedding plants, ready for a splash of colour in March. Wallflowers are easy to grow, have an amazing scent and a long flowering period, from spring to early summer.

Grow your bedding wallflowers in moist, but well-drained soil.
Help retain moisture – mulch with a 2-inch layer of compost
Choose either full sun or a partially shady spot.
Wallflowers also work well with daffodil or tulip bulbs in pots – space them about 6 inches apart.

Extend the season with STIGA

October is indeed still full of gardening opportunities, especially when it comes to preparing for a head start on the year ahead.

If you enjoyed this read, we recommend our article about "When & How to plant bulbs" for a further deep dive on the topic of sowing and planting during autumn.