What to plant in October in Saudi Arabia
10 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in October in Saudi Arabia, for the climate around Riyadh area, Saudi Arabia (latitude 25°N, longitude 47°E).
Climate: Hot, arid desert climate with mild winters (coldest nights near 2 °C in January), very hot summers (up to 45 °C) and almost no rain from May to November, so irrigation is essential and most rain falls in March and December.
Vegetables
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Grows quickly in the mild winter and bolts in the heat, so it is best sown from October to February.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Spinach Spinacia oleracea
Thrives in cool winter nights and gives quick leafy harvests before summer heat arrives.
Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Onion Allium cepa
Planted as seedlings in autumn, it matures in spring as the days lengthen and before the heat peaks.
Harvest: 120–150 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Carrot Daucus carota
Sweet, crisp roots develop well in the cool season in sandy, well-drained, regularly watered soil.
Harvest: 70–80 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
The quickest crop to grow here, ready in weeks during the mild months and ideal for filling gaps.
Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots
Beetroot Beta vulgaris
Cool autumn and winter temperatures give tender, sweet roots with little attention.
Harvest: 50–70 daysEasyIn pots
Herbs
Mint Mentha spicata
Vigorous and fragrant, it grows well in pots with partial shade and regular watering.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
Thrives in the mild winter and grows steadily in containers when kept well watered.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Coriander Coriandrum sativum
Grows quickly in the cool season and should be sown before the heat causes it to bolt.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
A Mediterranean-type shrub that tolerates heat, drought and mild frost in well-drained soil.
Harvest: 90–120 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →