November brings a slower, steadier rhythm to the garden—yet for many of us, it’s far from the end of the season. Across the United States, there’s still time to plant, harvest, and nurture, whether out of doors or in the house or greenhouse. While northern beds rest under mulch and southern gardens keep thriving with cool-season crops, a November garden can still be surprisingly productive.
Greenhouses, cold frames, and sunny windowsills can keep fresh herbs and greens coming all winter long. Whether you’re tending hardy kale in a hoop house, starting garlic before the ground freezes, or growing microgreens indoors for crisp winter salads, the November garden offers countless ways to stay connected to the soil and keep the gardening alive.
This season is also a good time to pause, tidy up the garden, and plan what’s next. Many heirloom and open-pollinated crops can be started or overwintered now, laying the groundwork for strong growth ahead. Garlic, onions, lettuces, radishes, peas, and herbs all lend themselves to late fall planting or protected growing in cold frames and greenhouses. These time-tested seeds carry the same reliability and flavor that have fed families for generations, thriving even as temperatures dip. A little planning and protection now keeps fresh food coming through the colder months and brings the quiet satisfaction of knowing next year’s garden is already underway.
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Northern Cold Regions (USDA Zones 3–5)
In much of the northern U.S., November brings a transition from harvest to hibernation, but the season isn’t entirely over. A well-planned cold frame, tunnel, or greenhouse can keep greens thriving even as frost settles in, and a sunny kitchen window offers space for herbs or microgreens. Gardeners in these regions are also laying the foundation for next year’s success with careful cleanup, composting, and garlic planting before the soil freezes.
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What you can grow
Outdoors
- Final harvests and in-ground holding with heavy mulch: carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga.
- Garlic and shallots if soil isn’t frozen yet; mulch deeply after planting.
- Perennial herbs to divide or heel in: chives, thyme, oregano (plant crowns rather than seed).
Greenhouse / cold frame / low tunnel
- Leafy greens: spinach, winter lettuces (butterhead, romaine), kale, collards, mustard, mizuna, tatsoi.
- Quick roots: radishes, small turnips, baby beets.
- Alliums: bunching onions, chives.
- Overwintering starts: brassicas and hardy lettuces for very early spring transplant.
Indoors
- Culinary herbs: parsley, cilantro, chives, dill, thyme, oregano, basil (only in warm rooms with strong light).
- Microgreens and sprouts: broccoli, cabbage, kale, arugula, mustard, radish, pea shoots, sunflower.
November garden tips
- Ventilate protected structures on sunny days to prevent mildew.
- Two layers of cover (row cover inside a frame) can raise temps 5–8 °F.
- Water in the morning; wet foliage at night encourages rot.
- For in-ground storage, wait until soil begins to freeze, then mulch 6–12 inches with leaves or straw.
- Clear debris and add compost now for healthy spring beds.
Transitional / Mid Regions (USDA Zones 6–7)
These middle zones bridge autumn’s chill and winter’s rest. With short days and mild afternoons, gardeners can still plant cool-weather crops or extend existing harvests under cover. Soil stays workable, making November an ideal month for garlic and overwintering onions, while indoor windowsills provide space for a few herbs and greens.
What you can grow
Outdoors
- Direct sow: spinach, lettuce mixes, arugula, mustard, tatsoi, radish, baby turnips, mâche, claytonia.
- Transplant: kale, collards, chard, overwintering lettuces, bunching onions.
- Plant now for next year: garlic, shallots, multiplying onions.
Greenhouse / cold frame / low tunnel
- Succession greens every 2–3 weeks: salad mixes, spinach, mustard family greens.
- Roots under cover: radish, baby beets, turnips for winter salads.
- Nursery duty: start hardy greens for late-winter or early-spring beds.
Indoors
- Herbs as above; include rosemary and sage in roomy pots near bright light.
- Microgreens: beets, chard, brassicas, sunflower, peas.
November garden tips
- Keep frost cloth ready; cover at 34–36 °F and uncover by mid-morning.
- Thin seedlings early; crowding halts growth.
- Top-dress with compost before covering beds for winter.
- Harvest outer leaves frequently to encourage regrowth through cold spells.
Warmer / Mild Regions (USDA Zones 8–10)
For gardeners in the South and much of coastal California, November is prime growing weather. The soil is cool but not cold, pests slow down, and tender greens thrive. This is the best window for cool-season crops and herbs, and even light frosts rarely stop production if beds are covered.
What you can grow
Outdoors
- Direct sow cool-season staples: carrots, beets, radish, turnips, rutabaga, lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, chard, arugula, Asian greens, peas (garden, snow, snap where frost risk is low or under cover).
- Plant sets or cloves: onions (short-day in the Deep South), leeks, garlic, shallots.
Greenhouse / tunnel
- Bulking greens: spinach, romaine, butterhead, kale, mustard, tatsoi, bok choy.
- Early trials: tomatoes and peppers only in heated houses; otherwise start seedlings for early spring.
Indoors
- Countertop herbs and microgreens as above.
- Patio containers: lettuce, arugula, cilantro where nights stay above freezing.
November garden tips
- Scout weekly for aphids and whiteflies; they thrive in mild weather.
- Peas are at their best—provide netting and keep soil moist.
- Mulch lightly to balance warm days and cool nights.
- Rotate greens to reduce mildew buildup in humid conditions.
Subtropical / Low-Desert & Coastal South (USDA Zone 11)
Mild, sunny days and cooler nights make this one of the most productive months of the year. November feels like early spring in these climates, offering rich harvests of greens and roots before winter’s brief cool spell.
What you can grow
Outdoors
- Peak cool-season window: lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, mustard, bok choy, tatsoi, cilantro, dill, parsley.
- Roots: carrots (short types), beets, radish, turnips.
- Legumes: peas (all types), fava beans in cooler pockets.
- Alliums: short-day onions, scallions, leeks, garlic, shallots.
Greenhouse / shade house
- Use light shade to prevent sun-scald.
- Start tomatoes, peppers, eggplants for late-winter transplant if nights are mild.
Indoors
- Herbs and microgreens for convenience and pest avoidance.
- Balcony boxes: cut-and-come-again lettuces and arugula for fresh salads.
November garden tips
- Irrigate at dawn; avoid night watering.
- Choose insect netting over plastic to reduce heat buildup.
- Sow cilantro and spinach every two weeks to offset bolting from warm spells.
Tropical U.S. (USDA Zone 12)
In tropical climates like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam, November usually coincides with the cooler or rainy season—a time when greens flourish if managed carefully. The key is drainage, shade, and frequent light feeding rather than heavy fertilizing.
What you can grow
Outdoors (cooler / rainy season)
- Leafy greens: lettuce, romaine, butterhead, amaranth, Asian greens, kangkong.
- Herbs: cilantro (at elevation), basil, parsley, dill, chives, mint.
- Roots: radish, baby beets, short carrots.
- Legumes: bush beans, yardlong beans in drier leeward sites; peas in higher elevations.
Protected culture (rain / sun management)
- Use simple covers to reduce leaf wetness.
- Apply 30–50 % shade cloth for tender crops.
Indoors
- Microgreens year-round; herbs in screened lanais to reduce insects.
November garden tips
- Prioritize raised beds and drainage.
- Harvest short-cycle greens before heat returns.
- Netting for fruit flies and leaf miners; inspect twice weekly.
Tropical Ultra-Mild (USDA Zone 13)
In the hottest U.S. territories and coastal pockets, November brings minimal temperature drop, so shade and water management are the gardener’s tools.
What you can grow
Outdoors
- Heat-tolerant greens: amaranth, malabar spinach, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach; cut-and-come-again lettuce only with shade or mist cooling.
- Herbs: basil, mint, lemongrass; cilantro at elevation or under cooling shade.
- Roots: radish and short carrots if nights cool; otherwise focus on leafy crops and legumes.
- Legumes: yardlong beans, cowpeas; peas only in elevated, cooler spots.
Protected culture
- Shade houses and rain shelters help regulate extremes.
Indoors
- Microgreens to avoid heat and pest stress.
- Countertop herbs in strong indoor light with good airflow.
November garden tips
- Stagger sowings weekly to offset sudden heat spikes.
- Harvest in early morning for best texture.
- Mulch to moderate soil temperature and reduce splash diseases.
Mountain & High-Elevation West (Zones 3–7 depending on elevation)
Mountain climates are unpredictable—bright sun, sharp freezes, and sudden winds. November gardening focuses on protection and timing. Lower valleys can still produce hardy greens, while higher altitudes rely on tunnels or indoor growing.
What you can grow
Outdoors
- Valley floors (Zone 6–7): spinach, lettuce mixes, arugula, mâche, claytonia, radish, baby turnips with row cover; garlic and shallots with deep mulch.
- Higher elevations (Zone 3–5): follow Northern Cold practices—harvest, mulch, and plant garlic if soil permits.
Greenhouse / high tunnel
- Double covers for spinach, kale, collards, Asian greens, and lettuces.
- Roots: radish, baby beets, salad turnips, bunching onions.
- Start hardy transplants for very early spring.
Indoors
- Herbs and microgreens for reliable production through harsh swings.
November garden tips
- Track nightly lows; elevation outweighs latitude.
- Secure covers against strong winds.
- Water mid-morning when tunnels warm above freezing.
- Focus on compact greens; large roots wait for spring.
Pacific Northwest Maritime (Coastal WA/OR and Northern CA)
Cool, wet weather dominates, but mild temperatures allow steady winter harvests. Good drainage and slug management make all the difference.
What you can grow
Outdoors
- Spinach, mâche, claytonia, arugula, mustard, kale, collards, leeks, overwintering onions; carrots and beets can still mature under mulch.
- Peas in mild coastal pockets for early spring harvest.
Greenhouse / cold frame
- Salad successions, Asian greens, radish, salad turnips.
- Overwinter brassicas and lettuce starts for transplant in late winter.
Indoors
- Herbs and microgreens to brighten gray days.
November garden tips
- Hand-pick slugs and set traps weekly.
- Keep beds raised; avoid compacting wet soil.
- Vent greenhouses to prevent botrytis.
- Remove yellowing leaves to discourage mold.
Gulf Coast & Atlantic South (Zones 8–10, humid)
Warm days and humid nights define November here. Greens flourish, but humidity favors mildew, so airflow is key.
What you can grow
Outdoors
- Lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, mustard, cilantro, dill, parsley.
- Carrots, beets, radish, turnips, rutabaga.
- Short-day onion plantings; garlic and shallots now.
Greenhouse / tunnel
- Prioritize airflow to curb disease.
- Start warm-season seedlings late in the month only with heat.
Indoors
- Herbs and microgreens for consistent greens during cold snaps.
November garden tips
- Keep frost cloth ready for sudden overnight chills.
- Rotate beds to avoid mildew buildup.
- Sow cilantro and dill in small, frequent batches for best flavor.
Nationwide Indoor, Microgreens, and Herb Focus (All Zones)
Even in deep winter climates, a gardener’s hands need not stay idle. November is prime time to begin small indoor gardens, keeping the habit of growing alive year-round.
What you can grow
- Microgreens: broccoli, cabbage, kale, arugula, mustard, radish, pea shoots, sunflower, beet, chard.
- Herbs: parsley, cilantro, chives, dill, thyme, oregano, basil (in warm rooms), mint.
- Compact greens: cut-and-come-again lettuce, baby Asian greens, spinach under strong light.
November garden tips
- Light is key: use bright south windows or LED grow panels 12–16 hours per day.
- Keep temperatures steady between 60–70 °F.
- Bottom-water and sanitize trays between crops.
- Stagger sowings weekly for continual harvests.
- Use this indoor time to test new varieties and practice seed-starting for spring.
Quick Reference: November Gardening Highlights by Region
- Zones 3–5: Focus on protected greens, garlic before freeze, and indoor herbs or microgreens. Heavy mulch and cleanup set the stage for spring.
- Zones 6–7: Active cool-season planting continues. Keep tunnels covered, plant garlic and shallots, and maintain succession sowings of salads and radishes.
- Zones 8–10: Peak cool-season planting window. Grow peas, leafy greens, and roots; plant short-day onions. Light frost protection may be needed.
- Zone 11: Excellent growing weather—abundant greens, herbs, and roots. Guard against insects and heat spikes with netting and shade.
- Zone 12: Cooler rainy-season production. Focus on drainage, short-cycle greens, and frequent light feedings; herbs flourish.
- Zone 13: Hot, steady conditions—grow heat-tolerant greens and legumes. Use shade, mulch, and frequent small sowings to balance extremes.
- Mountain / High-Elevation: Temperature swings are sharp; rely on tunnels and row covers. Compact greens and hardy roots thrive with mid-day watering.
- All Zones Indoors: Keep microgreens, herbs, and early seed starts going under light. Maintain steady warmth and stagger sowings for year-round freshness.
As daylight shortens and the soil cools, November invites a slower, more thoughtful rhythm in the garden. In northern areas, beds are being cleared and tucked under mulch, while southern and coastal gardeners are still harvesting crisp lettuces, tender carrots, and cool-season greens. Across the milder western valleys and desert regions, garlic, onions, and winter herbs are being planted for steady harvests in the months ahead.
Even where snow has settled, gardeners find ways to keep the season alive — tending herbs on a sunny windowsill, growing trays of microgreens, or starting seedlings under lights in a small greenhouse. Wherever you live, November brings a different kind of growth: quieter, steadier, but still full of life for those who keep their hands in the soil.
November Garden Essentials: Stock Up Now, Start Indoors, and Carry the Joy of Gardening Through Winter
This quiet stretch before winter is also the perfect time to plan next year’s garden — reviewing what thrived, noting what to improve, and planning with excitement what to try anew next year. It’s a wonderful season to restock your seed collection in this slight pause before the holidays arrive and the busyness of winter sets in. Purchasing heirloom seeds now means you’ll have your favorites ready for early indoor planting, greenhouse projects, or small winter gardens. Once the season’s distractions take over, thoughts of the garden can easily slip away, and it’s all too common to forget to order in time for those early indoor plantings.
Browsing and purchasing seeds now ensures you’ll have everything ready for indoor seed starting, greenhouse growing, or winter herb gardens through the colder months. A few pots of herbs here and there or trays of micro greens or lettuce indoors can continue the comfort of growing your own food through the cold months and remind us of the simple joy that gardening gives all year long.
What are your thoughts about a November garden? Drop a comment below!
FAQ:
What can I plant in my November garden if I live in a cold northern state (Zones 3–5)?
A northern November garden can still grow hardy crops under protection, including spinach, winter lettuces, kale, mustard greens, radishes, baby turnips, and bunching onions. Garlic and shallots can go in if the ground isn’t frozen, and indoor herbs and microgreens do very well.
What grows best in a November garden in Zones 6–7?
A November garden in these mid-range zones supports spinach, lettuce mixes, arugula, mâche, claytonia, radishes, and baby turnips. You can also transplant kale, collards, chard, and overwintering onions, and it’s the ideal time to plant garlic and shallots.
What can I grow outdoors in my November garden in warmer climates (Zones 8–10)?
Warm-region November gardens are at their peak. Plant carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, lettuce, spinach, peas, Asian greens, kale, and chard. This is also the time for short-day onions, leeks, garlic, and shallots.
What does a November garden look like in subtropical areas (Zone 11)?
A subtropical November garden grows lettuce mixes, spinach, cilantro, dill, parsley, carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, peas, and short-day onions. Shade and insect netting help manage warm spells and pests.
What can thrive in a tropical November garden (Zone 12)?
A tropical November garden supports amaranth greens, Asian greens, lettuce mixes, kangkong, herbs, radishes, baby beets, bush beans, and yardlong beans. Drainage and shade are crucial during wetter, cooler months.
What grows well in an ultra-hot November garden (Zone 13)?
In the hottest tropical zones, a November garden performs best with heat-tolerant greens like amaranth, malabar spinach, New Zealand spinach, basil, mint, lemongrass, yardlong beans, cowpeas, and—where nights cool—radishes and short carrots.
Are there options for a November garden in mountain or high-elevation regions?
Yes—lower valleys can grow spinach, lettuces, arugula, radishes, and baby turnips with row cover. Higher elevations mimic colder northern November gardens, relying on tunnels, mulch, garlic planting, and indoor growing.
What are the best indoor crops for a November garden anywhere in the country?
Indoor November garden staples include microgreens, parsley, cilantro, chives, dill, thyme, oregano, basil, and small lettuces or Asian greens grown under good light.
Why is November a good time to buy heirloom seeds for the November garden and beyond?
Because seed inventories are full and holiday busyness hasn’t begun. Purchasing heirloom seeds now ensures you’re prepared for early indoor planting, winter greenhouse work, and the first spring tasks long before stores sell out.
How can I keep my November garden going if outdoor beds are frozen?
Grow herbs in pots, start microgreens weekly, use south-facing windows, or set up a simple LED-lit growing area. Cold frames and unheated greenhouses also extend a November garden well into winter.
