In my early years of gardening, I couldn’t grasp the concept of seasonal planting. I used to believe you could plant anything you want anytime you want.
That’s until I realized anything I planted never grew so well…
In hopes of keeping you from making the same mistake, I’m sharing this article to guide you on November planting and the various options you have for a plentiful winter harvest.
Let’s jump straight into it, shall we?
14 Best Vegetables To Grow In November For A Winter Harvest
14 – Beets
Beets are generally quite cold-hardy meaning they can survive average winter temperatures without much difficulty.
Through cold, they develop a sweeter, unique flavor that is just delicious in its own right.
For November planting, you might want to consider planting beet varieties that can tolerate slightly harsher temperatures or use row covers to protect against freezing cold.
13 – Kohlrabi
For those of you who don’t know, kohlrabi is a bulbous vegetable that is added to soups, stews, and stir-fries to bring a sweet and crunchy element to such savory dishes.
It can tolerate moderately cool temperatures but should only be planted in the garden once all risk of frost has passed.
Last year I published an article that you might like, it shows how to grow giant leeks!
12 – Leeks
Leeks are a solid choice for November planting. They thrive in cooler temperatures and require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light exposure per day.
Although leeks sort of resemble green onions in appearance and flavor, they are generally milder and even a little sweeter.
11 – Spinach
Spinach: the ultimate superfood for strong forearms! Yeah…nevermind…I’ve watched too much Popeye…
Anyways, planting spinach in November can be a great idea considering cooler temperature conditions benefit this leafy green and make it a lot more tender and sweeter.
10 – Horseradish
Ideally, you want to plant horseradish into the ground around early November before the ground starts freezing up.
Although this strong and spicy vegetable is quite resilient to cold, planting before frost ensures roots can develop properly.
9 – Collard Greens
This earthy, dark-leafed green has a strong bitter taste that can pair really well with salty and acidic savory dishes.
You can plant collard greens directly into the ground around November when the temperature is just starting to lower and enjoy a plentiful winter harvest.
8 – Carrots
Carrots greatly benefit from November planting as the slightly cooler temperatures improve the taste and overall sweetness of the vegetable.
Just make sure you sow the seeds 4-6 weeks before the last frost date as planting mid-frost won’t be ideal.
This article will teach you how to grow delicious carrots in raised beds.
7 – Asparagus
The perfect steak companion – asparagus. If you’re someone who’s fond of barbequed meat and steak, having asparagus in your garden can be a lifesaver.
You can sow asparagus seeds directly into the ground or use crowns but, whatever you do, just make sure it’s before frost sets in.
6 – Brussel Sprouts
The reason behind planting brussel sprouts in November is that they dramatically improve their flavor after going through a period of cold and frost.
Because they’re hardy, they can survive lower temperatures and benefit from it.
5 – Kale
Kale is extremely cold-hardy and resilient.
Sow seeds directly into the ground 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area and harvest when leaves reach a decently large size.
4 – Swiss Chard
This colorful leafy green offers a pleasantly bitter taste and can brighten up savory dishes.
Depending on your area and its climate conditions, you’ll probably need to plant Swiss chard 4-6 weeks before the last frost date to avoid the risk of cold snaps affecting seed germination.
3 – Green Onions
Perfect for garnishing savory dishes, green onions can really bring your November garden to life by making it look fuller around the lower extremities.
Depending on your area’s climate and whether you can control the temperature (i.e. in a greenhouse), November planting should lead to a bountiful mid to late winter harvest.
I believe you should check this list with the best companion plants for green onions.
2- Mustard Greens
Yeah…there are a lot of greens on this list today.
Mustard greens have a strong, peppery flavor that’s perfect for adding some depth to salads, soups, and stir-fries.
You can plant these 4-6 weeks before the last frost and not worry about frost damage as mustard greens can tolerate cooler conditions. In fact, cold helps them develop a sweeter flavor!
1 – Peas
Because pea plants have a climbing nature, they’re ideal for adding vertical interest and fulfilling missing elements in the garden.
You can plant peas directly into the soil early in November to get them established before harsher winter conditions arrive.
You will love this article about peas not germinating (and what do to!).
Final Words
For a lot of vegetables, November is that magical month that gets them established and growing very well for a plentiful winter harvest.
You just have to pick the right kinds, start seeds, care for them properly, and experience your garden turning into a productive vegetable heaven.
