November isn’t just about raking leaves and sipping warm drinks, it’s still a prime time to plant certain vegetables that thrive through cooler months and into early spring. While the rest of the landscape takes a well-deserved rest, your garden can quietly keep producing crisp greens, hearty roots, and fragrant herbs. Cooler soil temperatures and gentler sun reduce stress on young plants, while natural rainfall (where you get it) does much of the watering for you.
Across the West, microclimates tell their own stories: coastal gardens stay mild enough for greens to flourish, desert regions rely on frost cloths and timing, and mountain gardeners lean on hardy overwintering crops. With a bit of planning, here’s how you can sow seeds now that’ll reward you when those longer days return.
1. Garlic
Thomas J. Story
Why: Garlic is the ultimate low-maintenance crop. Once planted, it quietly does its thing beneath the soil all winter long, developing strong roots and storing energy for spring. Cooler weather helps it establish early without pests or disease pressure, and by late spring, you’ll be rewarded with plump, fragrant bulbs and delicate scapes for cooking. It’s one of the few crops that actually prefers being planted in cold soil.
How: Break apart a bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact. Using a hori-hori, plant each clove pointy-end up, about 2 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart in well-drained soil enriched with compost. Water deeply after planting, then let nature take the lead—just keep the soil from completely drying out. Add mulch for insulation and weed suppression.
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Regional Tips:
- Pacific Northwest: Choose softneck varieties like ‘Inchelium Red’ for mild winters.
- California & Coastal Areas: Garlic loves the long, cool season—add compost before planting.
- Intermountain West & High Desert: Mulch well to protect from deep freezes.
- Southwest: Plant early in November and provide light afternoon shade until established.
2. Spinach or Kale
Thomas J. Story
Why: Hearty greens thrive when temperatures drop. In fact, it’s sweeter and more tender after a light frost, which triggers the plant to convert starches into sugars. Because it germinates quickly in cool soil and grows well in short daylight hours, spinach is one of the best greens for winter harvests or overwintering for early spring.
How: Direct sow seeds about ½ inch deep in rich, well-drained soil, and keep the bed evenly moist until germination (usually within 7–10 days). Once seedlings reach an inch tall, thin them to 4–6 inches apart. Greens prefer consistent moisture, so water regularly, but lightly with a misting nozzle, and protect young plants from hard frost with row covers or protective cloches. Harvest outer leaves first to encourage continuous regrowth.
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Regional Tips:
- Pacific Northwest: ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing’ does beautifully even in heavy rain.
- California Coast: Plant successively through winter for continuous harvest.
- Intermountain West: Use cold frames for steady production.
- Southwest: Grow in partial shade to prevent bolting during warm spells.
3. Carrots
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Why: Carrots actually improve in flavor when the temperature dips. Frost prompts the plant to convert starches to sugars, giving you that extra-sweet crunch gardeners love. Plus, they’re ideal for filling empty garden rows this time of year—once planted, they’ll sit happily underground until you’re ready to harvest.
How: Sow carrot seeds directly into loose, sandy, or loamy soil that’s free of rocks (root crops need space to grow straight). Scatter seeds thinly, cover with ¼ inch of fine soil, and water gently but consistently to keep the surface from drying out. Thin seedlings once they’re a few inches tall to prevent crowding. To extend the harvest, stagger your sowings every few weeks or cover the bed with mulch to insulate the soil.
Regional Tips:
- Pacific Northwest: Try short-season types like ‘Adelaide’.
- California Central Valley: Plant now for late-winter harvest.
- Intermountain West: Mulch heavily; overwintering varieties will be ready in spring.
- Southwest: Choose heat-tolerant ‘Nantes’ varieties and water consistently.
4. Fava Beans
Thomas J. Story
Why: Fava beans pull double duty as both a cool-weather crop and a soil enhancer. These legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for future plantings. They’re also surprisingly beautiful—tall, leafy plants with fragrant flowers that attract early pollinators. By spring, you can enjoy tender young pods or turn them under as green manure to boost soil health.
How: Sow fava beans directly into well-draining soil, 1–2 inches deep and spaced about 6 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting, and avoid waterlogging, especially in clay soils. Fava beans are remarkably hardy; they tolerate light frost but benefit from mulch or row covers during cold snaps. Once pods begin forming, keep them evenly watered to prevent bitterness.
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Regional Tips:
- Coastal & Central California: Plant now for lush winter growth.
- Pacific Northwest: Excellent for overwintering—just ensure good drainage.
- High Desert: Plant in early November; protect from hard frost with straw mulch.
- Southwest: Start in containers and transplant when temps dip below 80°F.
5. Cilantro
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Why: Cilantro’s biggest complaint—bolting—disappears in cool weather. The plant grows slower and more fragrant when the days are short and mild, giving you a steady supply of bright, citrusy leaves for soups, stews, and tacos all winter long. It also self-seeds easily, meaning a single fall planting can give you a bonus spring crop.
How: Sow seeds directly into the ground or containers, about ¼ inch deep, and water gently until seedlings emerge. Cilantro prefers consistent moisture but doesn’t like soggy roots. Thin to 6 inches apart once established, and pinch off flower stems if they appear early. For a continuous supply, sow a new round every 3–4 weeks.
Regional Tips:
- California Coast: Perfect for long, mild winters—harvest continually.
- Pacific Northwest: Plant in containers under cover for a steady supply.
- Desert Southwest: Plant in shadier beds or near taller winter crops.
- Mountain West: Grow in cold frames or indoors on a sunny windowsill.
Seasonal Care & Mindful Maintenance
Even the hardiest cool-weather crops benefit from a little attention. Water regularly (yes, even in winter) as dry soil can still stress young plants. Add a layer of mulch to insulate roots and retain moisture, and protect tender seedlings with row covers or frost blankets when temperatures drop below freezing. Before planting, work in a layer of compost or worm castings to keep your soil healthy and biologically active through the season.
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November’s slower rhythm invites a gentler kind of gardening. Each clove, seed, or sprout you tuck into the soil now is a quiet promise of spring—proof that growth doesn’t only belong to summer. So pull on your boots, grab your trowel, and savor the stillness: your winter garden is just getting started.
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