3 min read

October Garden Newsletter: What to Plant, Fall Checklist & Photo Challenge

The Flora Bella Team October 07, 2026

Happy October from all of us at Flora Bella! Wherever you grow, this month is full of opportunity. In the North, it's time to plant garlic and bulbs and tuck beds in for winter. In the South and West, the cool season is just getting started.

Cooler air and still-warm soil make fall one of the best times of year to plant. Below you'll find what to plant in your region, what to tackle in the yard, and a fun way to join our growing community.

What to Plant in October

What goes in the ground now depends on where you live. Find your USDA hardiness zone (search "USDA plant hardiness zone map" and enter your ZIP code), then use the guide below.

Region	Plant now	Grower's tip
Cold North (Zones 3-5) Upper Midwest, Northern Plains, New England, Mountain West	Garlic, shallots, spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocus), cover crops like winter rye	Plant garlic and bulbs 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes, then mulch heavily
Mid-Country (Zones 6-7) Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, Lower Midwest, Pacific Northwest	Garlic, spinach, kale, lettuce under row cover, pansies, spring bulbs, cover crops	Row covers or cold frames stretch your greens harvest into winter
South & Southwest (Zones 8-10) Gulf Coast, Southeast, Texas, Southern California, Arizona	Collards, kale, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets, radishes, lettuce, onions, strawberries, cilantro, pansies, snapdragons	Prime planting season; harvest runs from Thanksgiving through spring
Everywhere	Trees, shrubs, perennials, wildflower seed	Fall planting lets roots establish before next summer's heat

Southern growers: Tulips and hyacinths need a cold spell to bloom. Chill bulbs in the fridge for 6-8 weeks (away from fruit) and plant in December.

Your October Garden Checklist

Test your soil. Fall is the ideal time. Your local county Extension office can run an affordable soil test so you know exactly what your beds need.
Pull spent summer crops. Clear out tired tomatoes, peppers, and squash to make room and reduce overwintering pests.
Refresh your beds. Work in compost and replenish the minerals your summer crops pulled from the soil.
Sow a cover crop. Winter rye, clover, or hairy vetch protects bare beds and builds soil for spring.
Mulch. Add 2 to 3 inches of straw or shredded leaves to hold moisture and protect roots from cold.
Divide perennials. Split crowded daylilies, irises, and hosts and share the extras.
Start a compost pile. Falling leaves are free garden gold.
Watch the forecast. Up north, keep frost cloth handy and bring tender potted plants inside. In hurricane country, the season runs through November 30, so secure loose pots and trim weak limbs.
Clean and sharpen tools. Your spring self will thank you.

Soil Spotlight: Feed the Ground Before You Plant

After a full growing season, your soil is tired. Every harvest carries trace minerals away, and summer rain and irrigation wash nutrients deeper into the ground.

Fall is the perfect time to put them back. Adding Flora Bella trace minerals when you prep your beds gives winter crops the building blocks they need for strong roots, deep color, and better flavor. Mix it into your compost, work it into the top few inches of soil, and you're ready to plant.

Shop Flora Bella trace minerals

Community Corner: The Fall Garden Photo Challenge

We want to see what you're growing! All month long, share a photo of your fall garden, whether it's a raised bed of fresh collards, a porch full of pansies, or your very first garlic planting.

How to enter:

Snap a photo of your fall garden or new plantings.
Post it on Instagram, follow and tag @buyflorabella, tag three friends, and use #FloraBellaFallGarden.
Entries close the first week in November.

We'll feature our favorites in next month's newsletter, and three winners will be picked at random to receive:

First Place:

Baker Creek Seeds and
5-lb bag of Flora Bella Trace Minerals

Second Place:

Baker Creek Seeds and
2-lb bag of Flora Bella Trace Minerals

Third Place:

2-lb bag of Flora Bella Trace Minerals

Seed swap shelf: Got extra seeds or divided perennials? Bring them to share and pick up something new for your own garden. Details: [TBD / New Orleans, USA]. Subscribe to the e-mail list and we will send details SOON!

Grower question of the month: What's the one fall crop you plant every single year? Tell us in the comments or on Instagram. We'll share your answers next month.

Follow us on Instagram @buyflorabella

Seasonal growing tips, customer garden features, and first word on new products and specials.