What to Plant in October in Arizona (Low Desert)
October is the best planting month in Arizona’s low desert. Warm days and cool nights help seeds germinate and transplants root fast. Plant cool-season vegetables (arugula, carrots, peas, brassicas), herbs (cilantro, dill), and winter flowers (pansies, snapdragons, poppies). Pre-chill spring bulbs; plant garlic once temperatures are below 90°F.
The low desert includes elevations below 3000 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
October in the low desert of Arizona marks the end of a long, hot summer. While the days remain warm, the cool nights make it the perfect time to plant just about anything. Planting this month is essential to establish crops before temperatures drop further and growth slows. October is my favorite time of year here, and I couldn’t be more excited to be in the garden. I hope you’ll join me in choosing a few things from these planting lists to add to your garden this month.
Read “Arizona Garden in October ” for a printable checklist and information about October gardening tasks for the low desert.
What We Will Cover
- October YouTube Videos
- What to Do Before You Plant During October in Arizona
- What to Plant Outside in October in the Low Desert: Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit
- Which Seeds to Start Indoors in October: Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit
- Flowers to Plant Outside in October in The Low Desert
- Flower Seeds to Start Indoors in October
- October in the Low Desert: FAQ
October YouTube Videos
What to Do Before You Plant During October in Arizona
Before you plant, it’s essential to prepare your garden beds and soil to ensure a successful garden. Start by following the steps in this post on preparing beds for planting. Top the beds with Arizona Worm Farm Raised Bed Mix, and add compost, worm castings, and other organic matter to enrich the soil. If needed, incorporate a balanced fertilizer. Ensure your watering system works well—you can learn more in this guide. With everything ready, you’ll be set for a successful gardening season.
As you plan your garden for October, ensure your planting areas receive enough sunlight. With the sun sitting lower in the sky during fall, areas that were in full sun during the summer may now get much less light. Buildings, trees, and other structures can cast longer shadows, reducing sun exposure for your plants. Be mindful of these changes and plant in areas that provide adequate sunlight for your new crops.
Want to take your garden to the next level? Enroll in one of my online or in-person gardening classes.
What to Plant Outside in October in the Low Desert: Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit
(Click the links to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
- Artichoke (ST)
- Arugula (ST)
- Beet (ST)
- Blackberry (T)
- Bok Choy (ST)
- Borage (S)
- Broccoli (ST)
- Brussels Sprouts (T)
- Cabbage (ST)
- Carrot (S)
- Cauliflower (ST)
- Celery (T)
- Chamomile (T)
- Chives (ST)
- Cilantro (S)
- Collard Greens (ST)
- Comfrey (ST)
- Dill (S)
- Fava Bean (S)
- Fennel (S)
- French Tarragon (T)
- Garbanzo (S)
- Garlic (clove)
- Garlic Chives (T)
- Grapes (T)
- I’itoi Onion (bulb)
- Kale (ST)
- Kohlrabi (ST)
- Lavender (T)
- Leek (ST)
- Lemon Balm (T)
- Lemon Grass (T)
- Lemon Verbena (T)
- Lentil (S)
- Lettuce/Endive (ST)
- Marjoram (T)
- Mint (T)
- Mustard (ST)
- Onion (Bulb) (ST)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed / T= Transplant
For October planting windows and monthly checklists in one place, learn more about the Low Desert Garden Planner or buy it in my shop.
Looking for the easiest fall vegetables to grow this month? This list of 10 crops (and 3 to skip) is perfect for getting started.
Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar shows you when to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my shop.
Which Seeds to Start Indoors in October: Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit
(Click the link for seed sources.)
- Leek
- Lettuce/Endive
- Mustard
- Onion (Bulb)
- Parsley
- Potato (begin to chit)
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
To plant with confidence, explore my favorite seeds, a collection of varieties I trust in my own garden.
Get planting dates for your favorite crops with these visual planting guides for bulbs, vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers & vines.
Flowers to Plant Outside in October in The Low Desert
(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
- African Daisy (S)
- Ageratum (T)
- Allium (bulb)
- Alyssum (ST)
- Amaryllis (bulb)
- Anemone (corm)
- Arroyo Lupine (S)
- Aster (T)
- Baby’s Breath (ST)
- Begonia (T)
- Bells of Ireland (S)
- Bigelow’s Purple Aster (S)
- Calendula (ST)
- Calla Lily (rhizome)
- Carnation (T)
- Chrysanthemum (T)
- Clarkia (T)
- Coreopsis (ST)
- Cornflower (S)
- Crocus (bulb)
- Daffodil (bulb)
- Dara (ST)
- Delphinium (S)
- Dianthus (T)
- Echinacea (T)
- English Daisy (T)
- Evening Primrose (T)
- Flax (S)
- Forget-Me-Not (S)
- Foxglove (T)
- Freesia (bulb)
- Gaillardia (ST)
- Gazania (T)
- Geranium (T)
- Grape Hyacinth (bulb)
- Hollyhock (ST)
- Iris (rhizome)
- Larkspur (S)
- Linaria (S)
- Lobelia (T)
- Lupine (S)
- Marigold (ST)
- Nasturtium (S)
- Ornamental Cabbage/Kale (T)
- Painted Daisy (S)
- Pansies (T)
- Petunia (T)
- Phlox (S)
- Poppy (S)
- Ranunculus (corm)
- Ratibida (ST)
- Rudbeckia (ST)
- Saffron Crocus (bulb)
- Salpiglossis (T)
- Salvia (T)
- Scabiosa (T)
- Shasta Daisy (ST)
- Snapdragon (T)
- Statice (T)
- Stock (T)
- Strawflower (ST)
- Sweet Peas (ST)
- Tulip (bulb)
- Verbena (T)
- Violet (T)
- Yarrow (T)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed / T= Transplant
Plant roses this month. Choosing the right varieties helps ensure your roses survive the summer heat. Roses such as Memorial Day, Iceberg, Mother of Pearl, and Julia Child are excellent choices as they are known for their resilience and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Are you thinking about adding more roses to your garden? I get all of my roses from Heirloom Roses. I love that they are own-root roses (no grafts!) and that they meet the highest standards for disease resistance. You know you are getting robust, disease-free roses with strong roots when you get them from Heirloom Roses. Use Code GARDENAZ26 for 20% off any roses, bulbs, and perennials.
Although summers are hot in the low desert, our winters are mild. Several beautiful flowers grow well during the mild winter and bloom through early spring. In this post, I share my 10 favorite cool-season flowers that love mild winters.
Flower Seeds to Start Indoors in October
(Click the link for seed sources.)
The Perpetual Annual Flower Planting Calendar, available in my shop, helps you learn when to plant flowers in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants.
October in the Low Desert: FAQ
Elevations below 3,000 feet in the Desert Southwest, including the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Yes. Days are warm, nights are cooler, and roots establish quickly before winter slows growth.
Prep beds, top with Arizona Worm Farm Raised Bed Mix, add compost and worm castings, and confirm your irrigation is working. Check fall sun patterns because shadows are longer now.
• How to Prepare Garden Beds for Planting
• How to Water Your Garden
In the lists, S = seed, T = transplant, ST = either. My Garden Planner & Journal makes timing simple at a glance.
Arugula, radish, peas, dill, cilantro, carrots, and turnips.
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and celery.
Save tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers for spring.
Calendula, poppies, cornflower, alyssum, nasturtium, and sweet peas.
• How to Grow Calendula
• How to Grow Poppies
• How to Grow Cornflower
• How to Grow Sweet Peas
Yes for tulips and many daffodils. Prechill 6–8 weeks in the fridge (not with fruit) and plant in late December or January. Saffron crocus, ranunculus, anemone, and freesia can be planted in fall without chilling.
• How to Grow Flowering Bulbs in Containers
Plant cloves in October or November. Wait for daytime temperatures below 90°F. Choose softneck types, plant 2–3 inches deep, and mulch.
• How to Grow Garlic
Yes. Plant now so they establish over winter and fruit in spring.
• How to Grow Strawberries
Yes. Plant now so roots develop during winter. Choose heat-tough varieties like Memorial Day, Iceberg, Mother of Pearl, and Julia Child. I get all of my roses from Heirloom Roses. I love that they are own-root roses (no grafts!) and that they meet the highest standards for disease resistance. You know you are getting robust, disease-free roses with strong roots when you get them from Heirloom Roses. Use Code GARDENAZ26 for 20% off any roses, bulbs, and perennials.
Keep seedbeds evenly moist until germination. Water new transplants often, don’t allow the small transplant to dry out. Once you see new growth, you’ll know the transplant is beginning to establish and you can resume normal watering (allowing the top inch to dry out and watering deeply, but less often).
It depends. If temperatures are consistently below 90°F, remove shade cloth. If a brief heat spike is forecast, add temporary afternoon shade for tender seedlings.
• Shade Cloth Guide
Watch for cabbage loopers and aphids. Use tulle or row cover at planting, apply Bt on young brassicas, and wash off aphids or use insecticidal soap.
• Garden Pests: Identification and Solutions
Start brassicas, leafy greens, leeks, and onions indoors for staggered transplanting through late fall and early winter. Aim for 4–6 weeks before your target transplant date.
• How to Start Seeds Indoors
• Seed-Starting Supplies
Yes. Plant chitted potatoes or begin chitting potatoes this month.
• How to Chit Potatoes
Most vegetables still need at least 6 hours of direct sun. Recheck beds because fall shadows can reduce light.
Sow outside in October for late winter and spring blooms. Soak seeds overnight if desired and trellis early.
• How to Grow Sweet Peas
• Best Sweet Pea Varieties for Scent and Cutting
Yes. Direct sow dill and cilantro. Transplant chives, parsley, thyme, oregano, marjoram, sage, rosemary, and lavender.
Use a backbone of pansies, snapdragons, stock, and dianthus. Direct sow poppies, larkspur, cornflower, and calendula. Layer in ranunculus, anemone, freesia, and saffron crocus.
• 10 Cool-Season Flowers to Plant From Seed
• Arizona Garden in October
• What to Plant in October in Arizona (Video)
• October Garden Tasks in Arizona (Video)
Yes. Join an online or in-person class.
• Gardening Classes
Seed Box Labels with planting dates for vegetables and flowers
Purchase the Vegetable Labels here, and the Flower Labels here.
If this post about what to plant in October in Arizona was helpful, please share it.
I live in the north west of Arizona, the high desert.Could you give some hints for us too?
Many of the principles I talk about apply, but the timing is different. I will see if I can find resources to help other areas and share them when I do. Thanks for the question.