Zone 9 - What to Plant in October

Zone 9 - What to Plant in October

It's finally cooling down a bit in zone 9 and this gives us a good window to grow some crops before the first frost in mid-December. Try growing a mix of fast growing warm and cool season crops. Below is a list of items that can be planted in zone 9 in October.

The Avalanche beet, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris var. conditiva 'Avalanche,' is a popular variety of beetroot that has gained recognition for its exceptional characteristics. Historically, beets have been cultivated for thousands of years, with evidence of their consumption dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks. The Avalanche beet is a modern cultivar that has been selectively bred for its unique attributes. Avalanche beets are renowned for their mild, sweet flavor and tender texture. They are typically harvested at a smaller size, around 2-3 inches in diameter, making them ideal for salads, roasting, and pickling. The days to maturity for Avalanche beets range from 45 to 50 days, making them a relatively quick-growing crop. These beets are characterized by their crisp, pure white flesh and skin, giving them their distinctive appearance. They are also known for their resistance to common beet diseases such as Cercospora leaf spot and Rhizoctonia root rot, which can help ensure a healthy yield. When growing Avalanche beets, it's essential to provide them with well-draining, loose soil that is rich in organic matter. They thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Proper spacing is crucial, with rows spaced about 12-18 inches apart and individual beets planted 2-4 inches apart within the rows. Adequate watering is necessary to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. With the right care and growing conditions, Avalanche beets can yield an abundant harvest of these delightful, mild-flavored, and visually striking vegetables.

Thomas Laxton is an heirloom pea plant that is big and productive. At Urban Farmer we have trialed these a few times and they are always are favorite shelling pea. The peas are always sugary and delicious. This pea variety is named after the famous pea breeder, Thomas Laxton. This old heirloom pea is over a century old and has withstood the test of time. Each pod contains at least 8 peas and often up to 10! Make sure to support the Thomas Laxton's 3' vines with a trellis.

Spring Raab broccoli, also known as rapini, has roots in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Italy, where it has been cultivated for centuries. This unique vegetable is characterized by its slender, green stalks topped with small yellow flowers and dark green leaves, which are edible and packed with nutrients. The flavor of Spring Raab is distinctively bitter and nutty, which softens with cooking, making it a versatile addition to dishes like stir-fries and pasta. Harvesting typically occurs 40-60 days after planting, ideally before the flowers fully open for optimal taste. This cool-season crop thrives in well-drained soil and prefers cooler temperatures, making it perfect for early spring or fall planting. Its rapid growth and ability to produce multiple harvests make Spring Raab a favorite among gardeners, while its rich vitamin content adds to its appeal for health-conscious cooks.

The spicy flavor, attractive purple stems, and green leaves of the Hong Vit Radish makes it the perfect addition to any salad! This radish is a longtime favorite that is now available in organic form. A very fast growing microgreen! Grows straight and attractive purple stems that are hairless. Micro radish leaves add spicy flavor, visual appeal, and bulk to mixes.

The Pink Beauty Radish is named after its beautiful, uniformed light pink exterior that is crisp and jam packed full of flavor. This round beauty has a bright white flesh that is crunchy and with the perfect radish taste. This quick-growing variety is a great addition to any garden! The Pink Beauty will add a nice pop of color to any garden or dish.

The Spicy Salad Blend is the perfect balance of lettuce and mustard greens. This blend produces a great flavor profile that will spicy up any regular salad mixture.

The Lunar White is a rare white carrot with high yields! This is a very productive carrot with creamy white roots. The Lunar White has a mild, but delicious flavor with small core.

The Oregon Giant Pea plant has excellent yield potential. This variety is a home garden favorite that offers a great flavored pod if eaten while young and its peas have a great sugar flavor!

The China Rose Radish is a tasty rose colored radish with peppery undertones. This long radish variety with 5 inch long roots is one of the oldest heirloom radishes around. The China Rose is a very hardy type that can be grown year round.

Interior texture is smooth and dense with bright white color, even when roots get large. Exceptional quality and taste when picked young, but still tasty if allowed to sit in the garden longer, giving gardener an extended harvest opportunity.

This cabbage is known for its solid head and excellent flavor. Early Flat Dutch is a big cabbage, it is a good keeper and the standard early season variety. Heads form up to 12 inches and weigh as much as 15 pounds. Early Flat Dutch has an excellent flavor.

Purple Sun produces Uniform roots with smooth shoulders. Dark purple carrots that grow up to 10" in length. A great production carrot for fields, bunching and mechanical harvest.