Nah, October is great for planting! We're in different areas - I'm in 7b in DFW - but I suspect the ones I'll suggest will do well for you too, assuming that your soil isn't crazy. Mums, pansies, snapdragons, violas all do well. There's also some really nice foliage action going on right now and throughout the winter. Nandina is great for that, as are lots of dwarf trees. And of course, now's a great time to pick up perennials on clearance at the big box stores, so they'll be bright and blooming in the spring! Things like phlox, columbine, salvia, lantana, etc. And bulbs, naturally.

what momfox said:

Autumn is the perfect time to plant perennials & trees especially:

they have time to get their roots snuggled in before they go dormant, & then in the spring they're ready to "gun the engine" for growth!

What kind of garden are you looking to plant? This is a great time to plant certain cool-weather vegetables. I've got kale and cabbage growing, and will be planting snowpeas and lettuce this weekend. You can also plant radish, turnip, spinach, beets, greens... If you can find cabbage and broccoli starts at your nursery, they can be planted now, too.

Check the web for your county's cooperative extension office. My county (Harris) has charts for when things should be planted.

I, too, am planting several things in progression as far as veggies/fruits go. Some things that wouldn't grow when fall first came, will do great right now. It was too hot for us here at the beginning of fall.

Blessings,
Angela

I'm central and just got the brocolli and cauliflower in a couple of weeks ago. I also have the lettuce seed in and this week I need to thin the seedlings. I think the fall/winter garden is really rewarding; less work, fewer pests and while there is nothing like a home grown tomato, home grown lettuce is pretty yummy too!

The funny thing is, I know a lot of people around my neighborhood who grow vegetable gardens in the spring, but not the fall/winter. I've tried to extol the virtues of a fall garden, but they always look at me like I'm crazy. (Which I may be, but not because of this!) I just love being able to go out in the middle of December to pick something fresh for dinner.