What to plant in November — zone 11b
Zone 11b averages its last spring frost around January 1 and its first fall frost around December 31. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Dormant care
- Check season-extension geararound Nov 6
Patch row cover, cold frames and hoops now so a late freeze can't catch you unprepared.
- Pre-sprout seed potatoesaround Nov 20
Chit potatoes in a bright, cool spot for 2 weeks — sprouted pieces jump ahead once planted.
Start indoors
- Pepperaround Nov 6
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.
- Parsleyaround Nov 6
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Soak seeds 24 hrs before sowing. Cut outer stems and it comes back for years in mild zones.
- Chivesaround Nov 6
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Divide the clump every 3 years — one plant becomes six with no effort.
- Oreganoaround Nov 6
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Nov 6
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.
- Sagearound Nov 6
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.
- Tomatoaround Nov 20
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.
- Kalearound Nov 20
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Fall crop sweetens after first frost — plan a July sowing for the best flavor.
- Broccoliaround Nov 20
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). After cutting the main head, side shoots keep coming for weeks — don't pull the plant.
- Basilaround Nov 20
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Basilaround Nov 20
6 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (01-01). Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
Transplant out
- Raspberryaround Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Blueberryaround Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Blackberryaround Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Grapearound Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Applearound Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Peararound Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Peacharound Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Rhubarbaround Nov 20
Goes out 6 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
Garden care
- Wake the bedsaround Nov 27
Turn in compost, cut down cover crops, and let the soil warm two weeks before the first sowing.
Direct sow
- Peaaround Nov 27
Soil is ready -5 weeks before last frost.
Direct sow for fall
- Peaaround Nov 1
Counts back 60 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Carrotaround Nov 2
Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy — light freezes sweeten it.
- Beetaround Nov 6
Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Dillaround Nov 6
Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Frost-tender — must finish before frost.
- Spinacharound Nov 11
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Lettucearound Nov 11
Counts back 50 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Radisharound Nov 14
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
- Cilantroaround Nov 16
Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Radisharound Nov 28
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.
Transplant for fall
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