What Seeds to Sow in October

Monthly Sowing Guide
October sowing varies considerably depending on your climate.

October is a prime sowing month for Mediterranean gardens, where cooler temperatures create excellent conditions for hardy flowers, herbs and cool-season vegetables. Across temperate and northern Europe, sowing becomes more selective, with an increasing focus on hardy varieties, autumn-sown flowers and crops grown under protection. Explore the guides below to find the best seeds to sow this month in your climate.

Seeds to Sow in October in Mediterranean Europe

Mediterranean & Hot Summer Climates

One of the best sowing months for Mediterranean gardens. Sow hardy flowers, sweet peas, cool-season vegetables, peas, leafy greens and herbs as temperatures become milder.

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Temperate Europe seeds to sow in October

Temperate Europe

Sow hardy annual flowers for earlier blooms next year, start sweet peas under protection and grow cold-tolerant salads and leafy vegetables in sheltered positions, cold frames or greenhouses.

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Northern Europe seeds to sow in October

Northern & Cool Summer Climates

Outdoor sowing is becoming limited. Focus on hardy flowers for next season, sweet peas under cover and cold-tolerant salads and leafy crops grown in greenhouses, cold frames or other protected spaces.

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October Gardening Tips

Sow hardy flowers for next year Calendula, cornflowers, nigella and many poppies can be autumn sown, producing established young plants and earlier flowers next season.
Make the most of Mediterranean autumn In warm Mediterranean regions, October often brings ideal conditions for sowing after the intense summer heat has passed.
Concentrate on cool-season vegetables Spinach, rocket, radish, lettuce, peas and other cool-weather crops can thrive as temperatures fall, although protection becomes more important in colder regions.
Use protection in colder climates Cold frames, cloches, fleece and unheated greenhouses help young seedlings cope with falling temperatures, shorter days and early frosts.

Shop Popular Seeds for October Gardening

Explore hardy flowers, sweet peas, cool-season vegetables and other varieties well suited to autumn sowing across Europe.

Calendula Seeds Cornflower Seeds Nigella Seeds Poppy Seeds Sweet Pea Seeds Spinach Seeds Rocket Seeds Radish Seeds Lettuce Seeds Pea Seeds