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Grow with the seasons in Miami

Learn, grow, and connect through urban gardening.

Today's Moon

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Explore moon gardening traditions alongside seasonal planting guidance.

Read about the moon and crops →

SOUTH FLORIDA · OCTOBER 2026

Make room for the growing season

October brings a fresh planting opportunity to Miami gardens. Start with a manageable patch or a few containers, choose vegetables your household enjoys, and leave room to watch how they grow.

What to plant now

Sow carrots, radishes, and bush beans directly from seed. For a head start, plant healthy lettuce, broccoli, or tomato transplants. Cilantro, dill, and parsley are also October options.

Choose one or two crops today. Check the seed packet or plant label for spacing and variety-specific instructions, then record what you planted and the date in My garden.

Read our October garden guide

Seeds or young plants?

A seed lets you follow the whole story, from the first root to the first leaf. A transplant gives you a plant that has already begun that journey. UF/IFAS lists carrots, radishes, and beans among October seed choices for South Florida, and lettuce, broccoli, and tomatoes among crops suited to transplanting.

A small task for today

Sketch your growing space and select a crop. Note where sunlight reaches it, how water drains after rain, and whether nearby plants will shade it as they grow. Use these observations alongside the crop's growing requirements to choose its place.

Keep a useful garden record

Write down the variety, planting date, and whether you used seed or a transplant. Add observations as the plant develops. Your notes will help you compare what worked in your own garden when the next season arrives.

Follow the season, observe the garden

This is regional seasonal guidance for Miami and South Florida, not a daily weather forecast. Planting windows are a starting point; the needs of the crop and the conditions in your growing space still matter.

We also explore moon gardening as a cultural tradition. Keep lunar observations in your journal while using seasonal planting guidance and plant conditions to make growing decisions.

Written for Amigos de la Huerta. Planting recommendations checked October 16, 2026 against the UF/IFAS guides below.

YOUR MIAMI GARDEN

What could you plant?

Choose a date and growing region. Smart choice combines seasonal planting windows with crop categories and our lunar gardening tradition.

Show:

4 crop choices

DIRECT SEED

Cucumber

Fruit and pods

A climbing crop for your fall garden. Plan a place for its vines.

MATURITY
40–65 days
EST. HARVEST
Choose a date
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Provide a trellis for climbing vines. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

October planting option

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Bush beans

Fruit and pods

A compact choice when you want to start a small vegetable patch.

MATURITY
45–60 days
EST. HARVEST
Choose a date
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT4 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Count established plants after thinning. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

October planting option

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Carrots

Roots

Sow directly and give the roots space to develop.

MATURITY
70–120 days
EST. HARVEST
Choose a date
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT6 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Count established plants after thinning. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

October planting option

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Broccoli

Flowers

Start with a healthy young plant for the cooler growing season.

MATURITY
50–70 days
EST. HARVEST
Choose a date
PLANT SPACING · UF/IFAS10–15 in. apartRows: 24 in. apart

Broccoli is not listed in the shared square-foot chart. See UF/IFAS spacing and follow your variety’s plant label.

October planting option

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Tomatoes

Fruit and pods

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
70 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Peppers

Fruit and pods

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
65 to 75 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Onions

Roots

Use short-day bulbing onion varieties for Florida.

MATURITY
100 to 130 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT9 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Head lettuce

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
60 to 80 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT4 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Leaf lettuce

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
60 to 80 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT16 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Hot pepper

Fruit and pods

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
65 to 75 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Winter squash

Fruit and pods

Allow space beyond the square for vines and supports.

MATURITY
85 to 120 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

PLANT PIECES / SLIPS

Sweet potatoes

Roots

Plant slips and allow room for spreading vines.

MATURITY
85 to 130 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

PLANT PIECES / SLIPS

Potatoes

Roots

Use certified seed pieces for planting.

MATURITY
85 to 110 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Pumpkins

Fruit and pods

Allow space beyond the square for vines and supports.

MATURITY
80 to 100 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Cauliflower

Flowers

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
50 to 70 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Corn

Fruit and pods

Grow corn in blocks for pollination.

MATURITY
65 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Beets

Roots

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
50 to 70 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT9 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Eggplant

Fruit and pods

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
70 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Spinach

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
45 to 60 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT9 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

PLANT PIECES / SLIPS

Garlic

Roots

Plant suitable garlic cloves; timing and harvest depend on the variety.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT4 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Radishes

Roots

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
20 to 30 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT16 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Melons (cantaloupe)

Fruit and pods

Allow space beyond the square for vines and supports.

MATURITY
85 to 110 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Celery

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
75 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Brussels sprouts

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
70 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Kale

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
50 to 70 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Summer squash

Fruit and pods

Allow space beyond the square for vines and supports.

MATURITY
40 to 50 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Rosemary

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Cilantro

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT9 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Sage

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Chives

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Pole beans

Fruit and pods

Allow space beyond the square for vines and supports.

MATURITY
50 to 70 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT4 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Basil

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Bok choy

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
70 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Parsnips

Roots

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT9 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Regional planting dates need local verification.

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Dill

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT9 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Oregano

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Cabbage

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
70 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Turnips

Roots

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
40 to 60 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT9 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Parsley

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

TRANSPLANT

Thyme

Leaves and herbs

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
Variety dependent
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT2 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Only the reviewed planting period is listed; other months need verification.

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Rutabagas

Roots

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
90 to 90 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT4 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Regional planting dates need local verification.

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Peas (English or snow)

Fruit and pods

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
60 to 80 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT8 plants1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

DIRECT SEED

Okra

Fruit and pods

Choose a suitable variety and check its plant label.

MATURITY
60 to 70 days
EST. HARVEST
Check variety label
PLANTS PER 1 SQ FT1 plant1 ft × 1 ft planting area

Density follows the shared chart; adjust for mature plant size. Spacing chart · via Little River Cooperative

Growing guidance

Plan your growing space: one square foot is a 12 × 12 inch area. Cucumber, bush bean, and carrot quantities follow the Square Foot Garden Plan Guide shared through Little River Cooperative; the chart credits Garden365.com. Use these as planning quantities and adjust for variety, support, and mature plant size.

How Smart choice works

First, the selected month must fall inside the crop’s UF/IFAS planting window for North, Central, or South Florida. Next, Smart choice applies ADLH’s simple lunar tradition: waxing Moon for above-ground crops (fruit, pods, and flowers in this starter guide); waning Moon for roots. The category and planting-method filters narrow those matches.

Moon phases are approximate, calculated at noon in Florida from the average lunar cycle. They are not an exact ephemeris. Check primary Moon phases with the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Lunar gardening is a cultural tradition, not a proven way to improve crop yield. Read Illinois Extension’s evidence review. Seasonal conditions and the needs of your variety remain the practical basis for planting.

Growing regions use UF/IFAS regional calendars. They are not USDA hardiness zones, which describe winter minimum temperatures. This guide contains 43 crops. Unverified planting windows are excluded from Smart choice.

Days are counted from sowing, transplanting, or planting pieces and slips according to the method shown. Harvest dates are estimates. Where a source gives no harvest-day range, check the variety label. This guide includes the 42 chart entries plus broccoli.

Planting windows and maturity ranges: UF/IFAS Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, Table 1. Reviewed October 16, 2026. Use your seed packet or plant label for variety-specific details.

Explore the UF/IFAS guides

Go deeper with the references behind our October planting guide.

UF/IFAS EXTENSION · SEASONAL PLANNING

South Florida Gardening Calendar

Plan your Miami garden month by month. Use this calendar to explore seasonal planting choices and garden care tasks, then adapt your plan to the space you grow in.

By Sydney Park Brown and Kara Krueger · UF/IFAS

Read the UF/IFAS calendar →

UF/IFAS GARDENING SOLUTIONS · PLANTING CHOICES

What to Plant by Month

Choosing between seeds and young plants? Find October in the South Florida section and compare planting options before picking your next crop.

Published by UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions

Read the UF/IFAS planting guide →

ADLH summaries written for our community. Source links reviewed October 16, 2026.

A garden connects us

Amigos de la Huerta brings neighbors together to learn through urban gardening. Bring your questions, share what you discover, and help care for the places where our community grows.

Support ADLH

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