Seasonal Planting Guide
What to Plant in November
Last call for garlic, spring bulbs, trees, and warm-zone vegetables. November planting sets the foundation for next year's garden.
🌱 Plan Your Spring Garden →🧄 Last Call — Plant Garlic & Bulbs
Garlic (Zones 5–8 — Last Chance)
November is the final garlic planting window for zones 5–8. Cloves need 4–6 weeks to develop roots before ground freezes. Plant 2–3 in deep, 6 in apart, pointy end up. Mulch with 4–6 in of straw immediately after planting. In zones 8–10, November is actually the ideal garlic planting month — cooler soil temps but long root-development time.
Spring Bulbs — Final Window
November is the last chance for spring bulb planting in most zones. Tulips actually perform BETTER planted late (November) because warm October soil can cause premature sprouting. Daffodils, alliums, crocus, hyacinth, and muscari can all still go in. Plant as long as you can dig a hole — frozen ground is the only real deadline.
Tulips (Last Chance)
If you haven't planted tulips yet, November is actually ideal. Tulips need the shortest cold period of any spring bulb (12–14 weeks). Plant 6–8 in deep, pointy end up. November-planted tulips are less likely to sprout prematurely. Pro tip: refrigerate tulip bulbs for 6–8 weeks in zones 8–10 (they don't get enough natural cold).
Garlic in Zones 8–10
Zones 8–10: November is your prime garlic planting month. Softneck varieties (California Early, Inchelium Red, Silver White) do best in warm climates. Plant in rich, well-drained soil. In zones 9–10, garlic grows through winter and is ready by May. The mild winter gives garlic a long, steady growing season that produces excellent heads.
Shallots & Multiplier Onions
Plant shallots and multiplier onions in November through zones 4–9. They overwinter and produce clusters of bulbs by early summer. French Red, Ambition, and Dutch Yellow are reliable varieties. Plant 1 in deep, 6 in apart. Each bulb produces 6–12 shallots. Mulch in cold zones. One of the best return-on-investment crops in the garden.
Paperwhite Narcissus (Indoor Forcing)
Start paperwhite bulbs indoors in November for holiday blooms. Place bulbs on pebbles in a dish with water just touching the base. They bloom in 4–6 weeks with no chilling required. Stagger planting every 2 weeks for continuous blooms through the holidays. Add a splash of vodka to the water (seriously) to keep stems shorter — it works.
🌳 Plant Trees, Shrubs & Perennials
Trees & Shrubs (Zones 6–10)
In zones 6–10, November is still an excellent tree planting month. The ground isn't frozen, roots continue growing in soil above 40°F, and fall rains reduce watering needs. Plant shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, and fruit trees. Water deeply at planting and mulch 3 in. Trees planted now develop root systems all winter.
Bare-Root Trees & Roses (Zones 7–10)
Bare-root season begins in November for mild zones. Bare-root fruit trees, roses, and ornamental trees are 40–60% cheaper than container plants and establish faster. Order from specialist nurseries now for December–February delivery. Plant immediately upon arrival — soak roots 1–2 hours, dig wide holes, spread roots naturally.
Privacy Hedges (Zones 6–9)
November is the last good month to plant evergreen privacy hedges in zones 6–9. Green Giant arborvitae, Emerald Green arborvitae, skip laurel, and Nellie Stevens holly — all establish well with fall planting. Water deeply at planting and weekly through fall. Apply anti-desiccant spray before winter winds begin.
Transplant & Divide Perennials (Zones 6–9)
Move or divide perennials in November before ground freezes. Daylilies, hostas, irises, peonies, and ornamental grasses can all be divided. Water well after dividing. Mulch transplants with 3–4 in of shredded leaves. In zones 3–5, the window for dividing has passed — wait until spring.
Plant Peonies (Zones 3–8)
November is ideal for planting peony bare roots. Plant with eyes (buds) 1–2 in below soil surface — planting too deep is the #1 reason peonies don't bloom. Peonies need cold winter temps to flower. They take 2–3 years to establish but then bloom reliably for 50+ years. Sarah Bernhardt (pink), Festiva Maxima (white), and Karl Rosenfield (red) are classics.
Spring-Blooming Perennials
Plant spring-blooming perennials in November (zones 6–9): hellebores, bleeding heart, Virginia bluebells, columbine, creeping phlox. Fall-planted perennials develop root systems all winter and are dramatically larger than spring-planted equivalents by their first bloom season. Shop garden center clearance sales — 50–70% off in November.
☀️ Warm Zone Planting (Zones 8–11)
Cool-Season Vegetables (Zones 8–11)
November is peak cool-season veggie planting in zones 8–11. Direct sow: lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, Swiss chard, radishes, carrots, beets, turnips, peas. Transplant: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage. In South Florida and SoCal, November through February is the most productive growing season of the year.
Strawberries (Zones 7–10)
Plant strawberries in November for zones 7–10. Fall-planted strawberries develop strong root systems over winter and produce a much larger first harvest than spring-planted ones. Everbearing varieties: Seascape, Albion (produce spring–fall). June-bearing: Chandler, Camarosa (one massive harvest). Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean.
Wildflower Seeds (Zones 7–11)
Scatter wildflower seeds on prepared soil in November for warm zones. Winter rains germinate seeds naturally. Native wildflower mixes for your region perform best. California poppy, lupine, clarkia, baby blue eyes, and farewell-to-spring are excellent for West Coast. Southeast natives: blanket flower, coreopsis, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower.
Cool-Season Lawn Seeding (Zones 7–9)
November is the last window for overseeding warm-season lawns (Bermuda, zoysia) with winter ryegrass in zones 7–9. This keeps your lawn green through winter while the warm-season grass is dormant. Mow short, spread annual or perennial ryegrass seed, top-dress lightly, and water daily for 7–10 days.
Citrus Trees (Zones 9–11)
Plant citrus trees in November in zones 9–11. Meyer lemon, key lime, Valencia orange, grapefruit — all establish well in fall. Container citrus can be planted anytime. Full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent watering the first year. November planting gives roots time to establish before the spring growth flush.
Herbs (Zones 8–11)
Plant cool-season herbs: cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, fennel. In zones 9–11, also plant oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary — they grow through mild winters. November-planted herbs establish before spring and produce earlier and heavier than spring-planted ones. Cilantro thrives in cool weather — it's the best herb for fall/winter gardens.
🛡️ November Garden Winterization
Mulch Perennial Beds
Apply 4–6 in of shredded leaf mulch or straw over perennial beds after the first hard frost (ground freeze). This insulates roots against freeze-thaw cycles that heave plants out of the ground. Don't mulch too early — wait for consistent cold. Don't mulch too thick (more than 6 in can smother plants). Leaves are the best free mulch.
Wrap Young Trees
Wrap the trunks of young trees (under 5 years) with tree wrap or white trunk guards. This prevents sunscald — bark cracking caused by warm winter sun heating bark that then freezes at night. Wrap from soil line to first branches. Remove wrap in spring. Also install deer guards if deer are present in your area.
Drain & Store Irrigation
Drain hoses, blow out irrigation lines, shut off outdoor water supplies. One frozen pipe can destroy an entire irrigation system. Drain rain barrels completely. Store hoses indoors or in a shed — freezing degrades rubber and plastic. Insulate outdoor faucets with foam covers.
Harvest & Store Root Crops
Harvest remaining carrots, beets, turnips, and parsnips before hard ground freeze. Store in sand or sawdust in a cool (32–40°F) location — root cellar, unheated garage, or refrigerator. Or leave them in the ground under heavy mulch (12 in of straw) for in-ground storage through winter. Parsnips actually taste BETTER after frost exposure.
Clean & Oil Garden Tools
Clean all garden tools before winter storage. Remove soil with a stiff brush, sharpen blades with a file, oil metal surfaces with linseed oil or WD-40, oil wooden handles. Clean and store containers. Sharpen mower blades. A 30-minute November tool maintenance session saves hours of frustration in spring.
Take Inventory & Plan
November is perfect for garden planning. Review what worked and what didn't. Measure garden beds, photograph layouts, note pest/disease issues. Start browsing seed catalogs (they arrive in December). Use Yardcast to visualize landscape changes. The best gardens are planned in winter and executed in spring.
November Planting Quick Reference
| Plant | Start Indoor | Transplant/Outdoor | Days to Harvest | Zones | Sun | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic (zones 5–10) | N/A | November | 210–270 | 5–10 | Full sun | Easy |
| Tulips (last call) | N/A | November | Spring bloom | 3–8 | Full sun | Easy |
| Trees & Shrubs (zones 6+) | N/A | November | N/A | 6–10 | Varies | Easy |
| Peonies (bare root) | N/A | November | Year 2–3 bloom | 3–8 | Full sun | Easy |
| Cool-season veg (zones 8+) | N/A | November | 30–90 | 8–11 | Full sun | Easy |
| Strawberries (zones 7–10) | N/A | November | Spring harvest | 7–10 | Full sun | Easy |
| Wildflowers (zones 7+) | N/A | November scatter | Spring bloom | 7–11 | Full sun | Easy |
| Paperwhites (indoor) | November | N/A | 4–6 weeks | Indoor | Bright window | Easy |
November Planting FAQs
Is November too late to plant garlic?▼
In zones 5–8, November is the final window — plant immediately. In zones 8–10, November is actually the ideal month for garlic. The key is 4–6 weeks of root growth before hard ground freeze. If you can still dig a hole, you can still plant garlic.
Can I still plant spring bulbs in November?▼
Yes! November is fine — even preferable for tulips. Plant as long as the ground isn't frozen. Tulips actually perform better when planted in November's cooler soil. Daffodils, alliums, crocus, and hyacinths can all go in through November.
Is it too late to plant trees in November?▼
In zones 6–10, November is still excellent for tree planting. Roots continue growing in soil above 40°F. In zones 3–5, the window has closed — wait until spring or plant in October. Container trees can be planted later than bare-root.
What vegetables can I plant in November?▼
In zones 8–11, November is a prime vegetable planting month: lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, carrots, beets, peas, broccoli, and cauliflower. In zones 5–7, plant in cold frames for extended winter harvest. In zones 3–4, outdoor planting is done.
Should I cut back perennials in November?▼
Selectively. Cut back diseased plants (tomato, squash debris). Leave healthy perennial stems standing — they provide winter interest, insulate crowns, and feed birds. Ornamental grasses look beautiful in winter frost. Cut back in late winter/early spring instead.
How do I prepare my garden for winter?▼
Spread compost on beds, mulch with 4–6 in of shredded leaves, drain irrigation, wrap young trees, clean tools, harvest remaining root crops. Don't prune spring-blooming shrubs. Do clean up disease-prone debris. Focus on protecting soil — it's your most valuable asset.
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