What can I sow in October?

October is a month when the garden begins to slow down, but there's still plenty you can sow. As the days become shorter and cooler, it's a good time to concentrate on hardy vegetables, winter salads and crops that can cope with the colder months ahead.

Try winter lettuces, spinach, rocket, broad beans and other hardy salad leaves. Some spring onions and oriental vegetables can also be sown now, especially if you have a greenhouse, cold frame or some protection as temperatures begin to fall.

It's a good time for flowers and wildflowers too. Hardy annuals such as cornflowers, calendula and nigella can be autumn sown, while wildflower seeds such as yellow rattle benefit from experiencing natural winter conditions before germinating.

  • Make the most of warm soil

    The soil can still hold plenty of summer warmth even when the air starts to feel cooler, helping seeds get a good start.

  • Watch the shortening days

    Seeds may still germinate quickly, but growth will gradually slow as the days shorten and light levels begin to fall.

  • Use a little protection

    A greenhouse, cold frame or some horticultural fleece can help extend the sowing season as nights become cooler.

Why choose JustSeed?

Quality Seeds

Carefully selected for reliable results

Fast UK Delivery

Packed and dispatched with care

Gardening Expertise

Practical advice from experienced growers

Here to Help

Helping gardeners grow with confidence