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If you don’t know what to plant in October in Arizona, this article is a complete checklist.
October gardening in Arizona is amazing!
It is one of the best months with mild weather conducive for most crops from some of your favorite veggies and herbs to the most beautiful, show-stopper flowers for complementing your space.
And if you have been eagerly waiting for this month. It has finally come, so let’s make good use of it.
Join me as I show you some of the plants favored by this planting season.
What To Plant In October In Arizona
The Vegetable Patch
If you have a garden, October is the ideal time to start sowing and transplant fall vegetables.
The temperature might still be high during the daytime as we approach the month, but it will eventually drop a bit toward Halloween.
Therefore your young seedling will still need protection from the sun. And you must keep the soils moist for all direct-sown seeds, as dryness might discourage proper germination.
That aside, here is a complete list of available vegetables that are best sowed in the month of October:
1. Artichokes
You can either transplant or direct sow. However, artichokes require sufficient space since they can grow between 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 wide.
2. Asparagus
Asparagus is another autumn vegetable to consider. Unlike most veggies this season, asparagus prefers full sun, although it can tolerate dappled shade sites.
Also, it is compatible with most soil types, considering they are well-drained. A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 would be perfect.
But for heavy soil, you MUST raise the bed for better drainage.
3. Beans
October is also the perfect fava bean season. They are veggies packed with loads of nutrients, so it is a hot cake to plant.
However, consider amending the soil with a half-inch layer of composted manure to give it a quick start.
Also, the high risk of insect attack could be discouraged from September to December. But proper insecticide should address the problems.
4. Brassicas
This is where is fun the is!
From kale, broccoli, Asian greens, Cauliflower, Rutabaga, and Cabbage, to Brussel Sprouts, it is sowing time.
These are just a few of the Brassicas family members that are hardy and love the cooler weather. And since they can withstand the frosts, makes they the perfect candidates for autumn and winter sowing.
5. Greens
All green can be planted or transplanted in October —I’m talking about cresses, Swiss chard, mustard, lettuces, and Spinach.
Lettuce is a sensitive plant; too much heat will make it bitter.
And since your lettuce is still warm outside, it is best to plant in a shadier space.
If you don’t have one, you can make one by covering it with a shade cloth to keep it cool.
Roots
The chilly fall weather also favors a significant member of the root vegetables. And here are some of the luckiest ones to add to your garden:
6. Carrots
Carrots are one of the fall veggies; you can grow your carrots in containers or in-ground.
And it is best to loosen the ground with some good-screened compost. They also need 6 hours of sun, and raised beds work well too.
7. Fennel
Bronze and bulbing fennels are two of October’s most popularly sown types. And you can either transplant or sow directly.
They both need water to yield juicy bulbs. But the Bronze fennel is one to veer your attention to. Because when it blooms, it has a very striking appearance that captivates the interest of beneficial bugs
It also generates a sufficient amount of seed after flowering. Sadly, Bronze doesn’t form large bulbs like the bulbing version —Florence fennel is a prime example.
8. Radishes
Black radish is the rockstar of October’s vegetable gardening. Most green thumbs love this radish since they are forgiving to beginners and best for late fall plantings.
They thrive the most in cooler climates and require little or no attention.
Radishes also make a fantastic pair with carrots since they don’t need much room to grow and will be harvested even before carrots need more space to spread.
They are also good at marking out rows in your garden.
9. Beets
Whether it is late August, September, or October, Beets make the perfect fall veggies.
To harvest the roots, you have a 4-6 weeks window to catch them before the first frost approaches.
However, the problem with beets is they are too demanding. They enjoy slightly acidic soil and produce best when flushed with full winter sun.
So, for now, it requires some shading as the sun is harsh.
5. Other herbs worth considering include:
- Salsify
- Onions (any type)
- Garlic
- Turnips
- Parsnips
Flowers To Beautify
October harbors some of the most beautiful flowers that attract good pollinators and make your garden the new Pandora (in Avatar).
Some of the prettiest blooms are:
- Wildflowers
- Asters
- Borage
- calendula
- carnations
- Chamomile
- Coreopsis
- Daisies
- Flax
- Foxgloves
- Hollyhocks
- Nasturtiums
- Bachelor buttons
- Petunias
- Poppies
- Snapdragons
- Daffodils
- Muscari
- Ranunculus
- Paperwhites
- Iris
- Anemones
You can broadcast any of their seed, and they will germinate over winter. You can either transplant or direct sow —any will do just fine.
Herbs And Spices
October is a window for sowing some of your favorite spices you have come to.
And whenever harvest comes, your spice drawer or pantry will clutter, and you will bask in the flavors and aromas of these herbs.
Generally, the mint varieties are one to capitalize on. But you can always sow some of fall’s favorites like:
- Chives
- Dill
- Parsley
- Winter savory
- Thyme
- Sage
- Oregano
- Lovage
- salad burnet
- Marjoram
- Fennel
The good thing about these herbs is they work as companion plants, and you can tuck them among other veggies.
Conclusion
So those are what to plant in October in Arizona —quite a bulky list, though.
You know the sowing month, but the information here is insufficient to plant each crop successfully. Hence, you will need a bit of research.
We didn’t touch on trees because we were more focused on the stomach.
Although we decided to add a bit of flower to attract pollinators that will, in turn, benefit your fruit crops and garden in general.
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