Fall Garden Series: Know Your Grow Zone And What To Plant For The Month Of October
- Neytiri Nayeli
- Oct 8
- 7 min read
Happy Plantz Earth Medicine got its name from an original idea I had to grow and forage my own herbs, insuring that my products would always have ingredients that would be ethically sourced. I started with about 35 different species of herbs, many of which exist in HPEM's current Apothecary inventory like Peppermint,Calendula, California Poppy, Echinacea, Yarrow, and many more! I may have experience working with herbs, but at the time I didn't know much about growing anything. I figured it couldn't be that hard to put seeds in the ground, water them, and leave them alone. It seems like it would be a general rule of thumb for anything you plant in the ground. Needless to say, I failed miserably because there were some things to consider before planting each seed that I was not aware of.
Florida- Zone 8b-11b - A subtropical climate with a heat index that can be ungodly most days in the summer time. I started my herbal garden in May 2024. It was much too harsh for seedlings, although I did get the to sprout. They never matured past that stage however. I didn't realize that a lot of the herbs I selected were actually not compatible for Florida's climate during the hot summer months.
Some things to consider when beginning a garden outside are things like climate, sunlight exposure, temperature (when the seedlings are young), soil type, humidity, pollution, etc. We also look at something called a "grow zone" which is based on average minimum temperature in the weather and a plants/flowers ability to survive in those conditions. Every region has a different range of zones within it. I like to break it down by state categories to give people a good idea of whats best to grow in their garden or homestead. Most plants are resilient and can possibly adapt to a range of grow zones within 2-3 zones of its natural zone preference.
If you ever need a reference to find what zone you belong in, there is a resource called "Plant Hardiness Map" that you can find online. By submitting your zip code, you will be able to pin point your exact hardiness zone. Each zone represents a 10-degree fahrenheit range and within them are subzones in a 5-degree fahrenheit range: a(colder) , b(warmer) . There are 13 zones. 1 being the coldest, 13 being the warmest.
Zones 1-2 Exists in Alaska. We won't be talking about these zones in depth but they are considered harsh cold climate with long winters and very short summers. The ground is frozen most of the year and grow season is short lived due to short warm weather months. In North America, the zones start at 3.
Zone 3 The high altitude region of North America: Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Maine, and parts of Alaska. The average minimum temperature in the winter is -40 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 to -34.4 degrees Celsius. The last frost is some time in late May, and the first frost is some time in mid September. The best plants to consider planting in this zone for the month of October would be cold-hardy and winter loving or perennial plants. You may also plant any native plants to the area.
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 3
Fruits (trees and shrubs): Apples, Cherries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Elderberries, Grapes, Plums, Strawberries, honey berries, Goji Berries, Mulberries, blackberries, etc. It is important to establish the root systems before first frost. If you have waited too late in the season to start from seed, I recommend purchasing a tree or shrub that is already sprouted. You will want to make sure that your pre-started crops are ethically sourced and organic if the goal is to have an organic garden.
Vegetables (leafy greens and root systems): Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Romaine, Arugula, Collards, Mustard greens, Cilantro, Broccoli, Garlic, Carrots, Beets, Radish, Cauliflower, Parsnips, Brussel Sprouts.
Herbs (Mint Family): Thyme, Sage, Mint, Rosemary, Lavender, Oregano, Basil, Cilantro, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Stinging nettle. Also Chamomile, Lovage, Marjoram, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek
Flowers: Chrysanthemums, Pansies, Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, Violas, Windflowers,
Zone 4: There are many similarities in Zones 3-6. Also in the northern regions of North America, Zone 4 is a harsh cold zone with an average minimum temperature of -30 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-34.4 to -28.8 degrees Celsius). Warmer months last from July to September- the last frost likely being sometime in mid-late May and the first frost being likely sometime in mid-late October. Zone 4 territories include parts of Montana, Maine, New York, South Dakota, North Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Idaho, and parts of Alaska.
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 4
Zone 4 will grow all the same fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, that zone 3 will grow, but there are some additions to the fruit category!
Fruits: Peach, Apricot, Paw Paw, Gooseberries, and JuJubes.
Zone 5: We are now transitioning a bit below the high altitude, most northern part of North America. Zone 5 is scattered across parts of the Northeast, predominately in the Midwest, and parts Western region and Alaska. Territories include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Northern California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The average minimum temperature is -20 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-28.9 to - 23.3 degrees Celsius). Its last frost happened at some point between late April and mid May, and the first frost will take place some time between mid September to mid October.
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 5
Like the other zones, zone 5 requires cold-hardy plants! Trees, shrubs, root systems, and perennials will be your go to for the fall season. You may grow all of the same fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers of the previous categories but now we are starting to introduce Kiwi, Peas, and White Savory as possible growing options.
Zone 6: The average minimum temperature for zone 6 is -10 to -0 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 to -17 degrees Celsius. The growing season is slightly longer and warmer in zone 6 lasting from spring to fall in most territories. Typically the last frost will happen at any point during the month of April. It's first frost will begin sometime between mid to late October. You will see this zone in many of the pre-discussed territories in the north and western part of North America, but now we start to venture a bit more south to New England, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and some of our southwestern territories like Texas and New Mexico. Out west we have Utah, and Arizona!
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 6
Anything we grew in previous zone plus an addition to the herb category! We welcome, goldenrod as a possible growing option for the fall
Zone 7: A shift happens in zone 7 as we are introduced to the southern region and it's hotter temperatures and longer growing seasons. The average minimum temperature ranges from 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -12 degrees Celsius). Growing season lasts about 7 months. The last frost happens around mid April and the first frost will happen sometime in mid November. Territories under this category will include Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, New Jersey, Easter Tennesee, North Georgia, North Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and North Texas.
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 7
Additions to zone 7's growing options would be figs, nectarines, beans, peonies, and sweat peas
Zone 8: The average minimum temperature is 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 to -6.7 degrees Celsius) very mild winters and long growing seasons. The last frost is between March 13th and March 28th, first frost between October 30th and November 30th. The territories are primarily in the deep south: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and parts of Hawaii. Out west, Nevada and Utah.
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 8
Citrus, potatoes, snapdragons, cone flowers (echinacea)
Zone 9: Consists of verly long, hot summers and extended grow periods that last almost year round. The minimum average temperature is 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 to -1 degrees Celsius). Last Frost for zone 9 is late January to late February, giving roughly a 10-11month grow period, the first frost will happen sometime between late November and mid December. Territories found in zone 9 are California, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, South Arizona, and parts of Hawaii.
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 9
Due to the borderline tropical and subtropical climate in zone 9, you can begin growing tropical fruits, roots, nuts, and vegetables in the month of October. We see fruits like coconut, pomegranate, avocado, guava, and pineapples. Nuts: walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and pistachios. Vegetables: Bok Choy and celery. Flower: Alyssums, Calendula, Dianthus, and tulips.
Zone 10: We are officially entering the tropical and subtropical climate with an average minimum temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 to -4.4 degrees Celsius) and a year round growing season with hot summers and mild winters. Territories are Hawaii, Parts of Florida, and the southern tip of Texas.
WHAT TO GROW IN ZONE 10
Tropical fruits thrive in zone 10. Consider adding lemon grass, Lillie's, and hibiscus to the growing list this fall!
Zone 11: In this tropical & subtropical climate, there is no risk of frost with the average minimum temperature is 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 to 10 degrees Celsius) making it impossible to freeze. Zone 11 is popular in the Florida Keys, South Florida, and Hawaii. With blistering heat in the summer time it is hard to keep certain herbs alive in the seedling stage so I will always recommend to start growing indoors just as you would in the harsh cold climates. Extra watering may be needed. Tropical fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers will thrive in zone 11.
Zone 12-13: Minimum temperatures range from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit in zone 12 and 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in zone 13. You can find these climates in Puerto Rico and Hawaii- year round grow seasons with zero chance of frost and winters that feels like fall. Mangoes, Papayas, coconuts, and more tropical fruits will thrive here.
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