Some vegetables to plant in November include turnips, kale, garlic, arugula, spinach, and other microgreens. Radishes also germinate quickly, giving you a fast harvest in a short amount of time. Finally, you may consider starting an indoor herb garden so that you have some greenery and culinary crops to last you through the winter! The most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t delay planting any of these crops once November rolls around. Here are some of the best vegetables to consider planting, as well as how to best plant them.
The Best Vegetables to Plant in November
If you plan on growing vegetables outside during the month of November, you may want to keep a frost blanket, or other cover options handy in case temperatures dip too low. No matter where you live, here are some potential veggie options for you to plant at the start of November.
Kale
Given that some kale varieties can thrive in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you should definitely consider growing this leafy green. There are multiple kale types, including Tuscan and flat-leaf kale varieties. These various types give you plenty of options to choose from, and most kale gets less bitter when exposed to cold temperatures. This makes November an ideal time to plant and grow kale, whether you started from seed or find an established plant at your local garden center.
Garlic
While it won’t be ready to harvest until late spring or summer, depending on your region, you can safely plant garlic in November. There are different types of garlic, with softneck and hardneck varieties being the primary types. One variety is more cold-hardy than the other, so you should definitely consider checking the overall hardiness of the garlic variety that you are hoping for. Garlic loves to overwinter in the average garden, leaving you with tall sprouts and delicious bulbs once the weather warms up!
Turnips
Quick to germinate and mature, turnips are perfect for the November garden in most regions or zones. These roots are edible from top to bottom, and you can harvest turnip greens as the plant grows. This is a huge bonus for those worried about the weather in your local area. Even if the bulbs or roots don’t mature fully, you can always harvest turnip greens throughout the wintertime and feel as if you have successfully grown something!
Radishes
Similarly to turnips, radishes mature within 30 days on average. This is an amazing germination time, especially if you are looking for things to plant in November. While they aren’t especially cold-hardy, some radish varieties can overwinter if you find a specialty seed center. Plus, radishes can be sown multiple times in a single growing season, giving you an endless harvest of these tiny, spicy roots! You can eat the greens too, for even more value.
Arugula and Other Microgreens
Your arugula planted in late fall may not last very long, depending on where you live. However, in November, small arugula leaves and other microgreens, such as mustard greens or pea shoots, can be grown with great success. You may not have enough time to develop large or fully grown arugula leaves, but the microgreens harvested as the weather gets chilly are perfect for a fresh salad or as a sandwich topping.
Spinach
Similarly to arugula, spinach may or may not thrive in your region during the month of November, depending on the variety that you choose. Many spinach varieties love cold temperatures and, in fact, prefer them, but frost conditions may prevent your spinach leaves from fully developing. However, you can consume spinach leaves of any size, giving you the flexibility to pluck them from your garden once the weather gets too cold!
Consider an Indoor Herb Garden!
If you live in hardiness Zone 6 or below, it’s unlikely that you will be able to grow anything outdoors unless you have a greenhouse or protected area. However, have you considered planting an indoor herb garden to enjoy throughout the winter? Herbs are incredibly easy to grow inside, whether you keep them in large containers or small ones on your kitchen windowsill. Most herbs are annuals, but even if you only grow them for the wintertime, this gives you something fresh to enjoy as temperatures drop. Some of the best herbs to grow indoors include:
BasilMintParsleySageLemon balmRosemary
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