Rows of vegetables growing in raised beds under a live oak in Houston

Houston · Zone 9a

What's Growing in Houston?

Our growing calendar is built around the Gulf Coast: long seasons, hot summers, humidity, heavy rain, occasional freezes, and clay soil. Here's what that looks like month by month.

October in Houston · Fall

What Should I Plant This Month?

Many Houston gardeners consider fall the best growing season. Cool-season crops flourish and pests slow down.

Plant Now

· Broccoli
· Cabbage
· Kale
· Collards
· Cilantro
· Parsley

Start From Seed

· Lettuce
· Carrots
· Radish
· Spinach
· Cilantro

Garden Tasks

· Replenish compost
· Plant garlic in late fall
· Sow wildflower seed
· Clean up summer debris

Watch For

· Cabbage loopers
· Aphids
· Armyworms

Watering: Cooler weather means less frequent watering — check before you water. Soil: Rebuild beds with compost after the summer crops come out.

Shop what to plant now

See the full Houston growing calendar

The Houston growing calendar

Season by season

September–November

Fall

Many Houston gardeners consider fall the best growing season. Cool-season crops flourish and pests slow down.

Recommended vegetables

· Broccoli
· Cabbage
· Kale
· Collards
· Carrots
· Lettuce
· Beets

Recommended herbs

· Cilantro
· Parsley
· Dill
· Chives

Recommended flowers

· Snapdragon
· Pansy
· Calendula
· Dianthus

Seeds to start

· Lettuce
· Carrots
· Radish
· Spinach
· Cilantro

Plants to transplant

· Broccoli
· Cabbage
· Collards
· Cool-season greens

Garden tasks

· Replenish compost
· Plant garlic in late fall
· Sow wildflower seed
· Clean up summer debris

Pest considerations

· Cabbage loopers
· Aphids
· Armyworms

Watering

· Cooler weather means less frequent watering — check before you water.

Soil

· Rebuild beds with compost after the summer crops come out.

Shop this season

Conditions vary considerably between neighborhoods, coastal areas, and north of Houston. Use this as a guide and adjust for your own microclimate.

Heat

Plan for a summer pause. Heat-tolerant crops and afternoon shade keep the garden going.

Rain & clay

Drainage matters as much as watering. Compost and raised beds do the heavy lifting.

Freezes

Rare but real. Keep row cover on hand and water well before a cold front arrives.