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November Gardening Guide

Late Fall | Cleanup, Protection & Indoor Growing

November brings the outdoor garden season to a close in most regions, but it's far from a quiet month. There's cleanup to complete, plants to protect, and a whole world of indoor growing to explore. As the garden rests outside, the wise container gardener sets up for successful winter growing indoors and begins dreaming of next year's possibilities.

November Tasks by Zone

Zones 3-5

Cold

Plant

  • Last chance garlic (if ground not frozen)
  • Cover crops
  • Indoor herbs and greens

Harvest

  • Cold frame greens
  • Root vegetables from storage
  • Indoor herbs

Key Maintenance

  • Complete garden cleanup
  • Store containers
  • Set up indoor growing

Outdoor gardening season complete. Focus on cleanup, storage, and transitioning to indoor growing. Start planning next year.

Zones 6-7

Moderate

Plant

  • Garlic (early month)
  • Cover crops
  • Cold-hardy greens under protection

Harvest

  • Cold frame and row cover greens
  • Storage vegetables
  • Cold-hardy herbs

Key Maintenance

  • Extended harvest with protection
  • Garden cleanup
  • Indoor growing setup

Season extending techniques pay off now. Cold frames and row covers enable continued harvest. Complete major cleanup before snow.

Zones 8-9

Mild

Plant

  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Cool-season vegetables
  • All greens

Harvest

  • Fall-planted crops
  • Cool-season vegetables
  • Herbs

Key Maintenance

  • Active cool-season growing
  • Some frost protection
  • New plantings

Excellent growing weather continues! Plant cool-season crops for winter harvest. Light frost protection may be needed.

Zones 10-11

Warm

Plant

  • All cool-season vegetables
  • Root crops
  • Herbs
  • Garlic

Harvest

  • Cool-season crops in full production
  • Herbs

Key Maintenance

  • Prime growing season
  • Regular garden care

Your best growing season! Cool-season crops thrive. Plant continuously for extended harvest. Minimal cold protection needed.

November Maintenance Tasks

Garden Cleanup

  • Remove and compost dead annual plants
  • Dispose of (don't compost) diseased plant material
  • Pull remaining weeds before they set seed
  • Clean containers with 10% bleach solution
  • Drain and store irrigation equipment
  • Store stakes, cages, and supports
  • Leave some seed heads for birds and beneficial insects

Indoor Growing

  • Set up grow lights for winter gardening
  • Start microgreens and sprouts
  • Maintain windowsill herb garden
  • Pot up herbs from outdoor garden
  • Force bulbs for holiday blooms
  • Grow lettuce and greens under lights
  • Start onion seeds for spring transplants

Winter Protection

  • Mulch heavily around perennials
  • Wrap containers with bubble wrap or burlap
  • Move containers against building foundations
  • Set up cold frames over hardy greens
  • Water deeply before ground freezes
  • Protect outdoor faucets and hoses
  • Bring tender plants and herbs indoors

Tool & Supply Care

  • Clean, sharpen, and oil all tools
  • Inventory supplies and note what to reorder
  • Store potting soil in dry location
  • Drain and store fertilizer containers
  • Organize seed storage
  • Review and file garden notes
  • Order seed catalogs for planning

November Indoor Projects

Microgreens Growing Station

Beginner

Harvest nutritious microgreens in just 7-14 days, perfect for winter salads and garnishes.

Supplies Needed:

  • Shallow trays (1-2 inches)
  • Seed starting mix or coconut coir
  • Microgreen seeds
  • Spray bottle
  • Grow light (optional)

Tips:

  • Start with easy varieties: sunflower, pea shoots, radish
  • Sow seeds densely for thick mat of greens
  • Keep moist but not waterlogged
  • Harvest when first true leaves appear
  • Start new trays weekly for continuous supply

Windowsill Herb Garden

Beginner

Maintain fresh herbs for cooking all winter long.

Supplies Needed:

  • 4-6 inch pots with drainage
  • Quality potting mix
  • Herb transplants or seeds
  • Drip trays

Tips:

  • Choose a south-facing window for best light
  • Best herbs for windowsills: parsley, chives, thyme, mint
  • Let soil dry slightly between waterings
  • Harvest regularly to promote bushy growth
  • Consider grow lights if natural light is insufficient

Forced Bulbs for Holiday Bloom

Beginner

Force paperwhites, amaryllis, and other bulbs for beautiful winter flowers.

Supplies Needed:

  • Forcing vases or containers with pebbles
  • Bulbs (paperwhites, amaryllis, hyacinth)
  • Water

Tips:

  • Paperwhites need no chilling - start now for December blooms
  • Amaryllis takes 6-8 weeks from planting to bloom
  • Position in bright indirect light
  • Rotate containers for straight stems
  • Make great holiday gifts!

November Pest Watch

Outdoor pest pressure is minimal, but indoor plants face new challenges. Rodents become problematic as they seek winter food and shelter.

Indoor Plant Pests

Plants brought indoors, overwintering herbs

Signs:

Aphids, spider mites, fungus gnats on newly indoor plants

Prevention:

Inspect thoroughly before bringing indoors, quarantine new indoor plants

Treatment:

Insecticidal soap, neem oil, sticky traps for fungus gnats

Rodents

Stored vegetables, mulched areas, compost

Signs:

Gnaw marks, droppings, tunnels in mulch, missing produce

Prevention:

Store vegetables properly, avoid thick mulch near buildings, secure compost

Treatment:

Traps, remove cover/food sources, hardware cloth barriers

Root Rot (Indoor)

Overwatered houseplants and indoor herbs

Signs:

Yellowing leaves, wilting despite wet soil, mushy stems

Prevention:

Reduce watering frequency, ensure drainage, use well-draining soil

Treatment:

Let soil dry, repot in fresh soil, remove rotted roots

Deer & Wildlife

Fall greens, overwintering plants

Signs:

Browsed foliage, hoof prints, droppings near garden

Prevention:

Fencing, row cover, motion-activated deterrents

Treatment:

Physical barriers, deer repellent sprays, relocate containers

Tips for November Success

Reflect on This Year

While memories are fresh, document this year's successes and failures. What varieties performed well? What pests were problematic? What would you do differently? This information is invaluable for planning.

Start Indoor Growing

November is perfect to establish indoor growing routines. Start simple with microgreens and sprouts. Add grow lights for herbs and greens. Indoor gardening fills the void while outdoor gardens rest.

Order Seed Catalogs

Request catalogs now for holiday reading pleasure. Compare varieties, prices, and availability. Many gardeners find catalog browsing the perfect antidote to November gray. Order popular varieties early before they sell out.

Dream Big for Next Year

November's quiet is perfect for dreaming. Plan next year's garden layout. Research new techniques. Consider adding season extension equipment. The garden rests, but the gardener's imagination is just getting started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What garden tasks should I complete in November?
Focus on cleanup and protection: remove and compost dead plants (dispose of diseased material separately), clean and store containers, protect perennial herbs and cold-hardy plants, complete tool maintenance, and set up winter protection for valuable plants. It's also time to plan next year's garden and order seed catalogs.
Can I still plant garlic in November?
Yes, in zones 7-10! November is ideal for garlic in milder climates. In cold zones (3-6), you can still plant if the ground hasn't frozen, but October planting is preferred. Plant cloves 2 inches deep, 4-6 inches apart, and mulch heavily. Garlic needs 4-6 weeks before hard freeze to establish roots.
How do I overwinter herbs indoors?
Bring tender herbs (basil, rosemary in cold zones) indoors before hard freeze. Gradually transition: first to a shaded spot outdoors, then to a cool indoor location. Provide maximum light (south-facing window or grow lights). Reduce watering as growth slows. Accept that some herbs will struggle indoors - start fresh from seed in spring if needed.
Should I empty my containers for winter?
It depends on container material and climate. Terra cotta and ceramic crack when frozen - empty and store inside or filled with dry material. Plastic and fiberglass containers can stay out but may become brittle. Empty containers dry faster and take up less space. Leave only cold-hardy perennials planted in freeze-safe containers.
What can I grow indoors in November?
Start indoor growing season! Microgreens take just 7-14 days. Sprouts are ready in 3-5 days. Windowsill herbs (parsley, chives, mint, thyme) provide fresh flavor all winter. Grow lights enable more variety. Lettuce and greens grow well under lights. It's also time to force bulbs (paperwhites, amaryllis) for holiday bloom.
How do I protect cold-hardy plants left outside?
Mulch heavily (4-6 inches) around plant bases. Group containers together against south-facing walls. Wrap container exteriors with bubble wrap or burlap to insulate roots. Water deeply before ground freezes. Row covers add 4-8 degrees of protection. Cold frames protect fall greens for extended harvest.
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