What To Plant In November UK
On this page
- The November planting trio: bare-root fruit, garlic a...
- What to Plant Outdoors in November
- What to Grow Under Cover and Indoors in November
- What to Harvest in November
- Key November Tasks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Plan Your Whole Year
- Plan your November beds
- November at a glance: what to sow, plant out and harvest
November is the bare-root month: planting slows for vegetables, but fruit bushes, canes, rhubarb crowns and hedging all go in while dormant, garlic and broad beans can still be planted in mild, free-draining spots, and the garden rewards careful preparation now.
Updated 29 September 2026 for November.
Plan every month with the UK vegetable planting calendar.
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
The November planting trio: bare-root fruit, garlic and spring bulbs
The same three groups that dominate autumn planting carry into November, in a different order.
1. Bare-root fruit trees, bushes and hedging
This is the month bare-root planting really starts. Bare-root plants are lifted while dormant, so they are only available in winter and early spring, and they are generally cheaper than plants in containers (RHS, RHS). Raspberry canes: late autumn is a good time, and any time while dormant works, November to March (RHS). Bare-root rhubarb crowns are available from November to March and should be planted soon after they arrive (RHS). Deciduous hedging goes in from leaf fall, mid-autumn to late winter (RHS). Guides: raspberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, blackcurrants, apples and pears.
2. Garlic — with a caveat
Garlic is usually planted from mid-autumn to early winter (RHS), but in November the RHS narrows this: plant outdoors only in mild, free-draining, low-rainfall areas, otherwise start cloves in modules in a cold frame (RHS). Full garlic growing guide.
3. Spring-flowering bulbs
Spring bulbs are sold as dry bulbs in autumn and planted while dormant (RHS). Bulbs sit outside this site's vegetable focus, so follow the RHS guides for depths and dates.
What to Plant Outdoors in November
- Garlic — mild, free-draining, low-rainfall areas only; elsewhere start in modules in a cold frame (RHS)
- Broad beans — 'Aquadulce Claudia' in mild areas, outdoors under cloches on well-drained soil; in colder areas sow in pots in an unheated greenhouse (RHS)
- Rhubarb — bare-root crowns November to March; container-grown rhubarb can be planted at any time, with spring or autumn best (RHS, RHS)
Scotland and northern England: outdoor sowing in November is not recommended — focus on indoor growing, bare-root planting and preparation.
What to Grow Under Cover and Indoors in November
- Spinach and winter salads — keep under cloches or fleece, or in a greenhouse or cold frame (RHS)
- Forced chicory — lift roots for forcing in a dark, warm place (RHS)
- Microgreens — ready in 7–14 days on a windowsill
- Sprouting seeds — peas, lentils, and radish sprouts in jars; ready in 3–5 days
What to Harvest in November
- Brussels sprouts — sweetest after frost; harvest from the bottom of the stem upwards
- Kale — pick outer leaves; plants survive hard frost
- Leeks — harvest maincrop varieties as needed
- Parsnips and swede — leave in ground; improve in flavour after frost
- Cabbage — winter varieties at their best
Key November Tasks
- Clear plant debris to reduce overwintering pest habitat, and do not compost diseased material (RHS)
- Remove yellowing brassica leaves to help prevent grey mould and downy mildew (RHS)
- Prepare new asparagus beds now for spring planting (RHS)
- Mulch empty beds with 5–10cm compost or well-rotted manure
- Order seeds for next year — popular varieties sell out in January
- Plan next year's crop rotation
- Clean, sharpen and oil tools before winter storage
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss the November window for planting garlic?
Some garlic varieties suit late winter or early spring planting, so a missed autumn window is not necessarily too late (RHS). In November the RHS says to plant outdoors only in mild, free-draining areas, or start cloves in modules in a cold frame (RHS).
Can I plant rhubarb crowns in November?
Yes — bare-root crowns are available from November to March and should be planted soon after arrival; container-grown rhubarb can be planted at any time, with spring or autumn best (RHS, RHS).
Can I plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes in November?
Yes — November is when bare-root planting starts. Bare-root plants are only sold while dormant (RHS), and raspberry canes can go in from November to March (RHS). Delay planting if the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
Is it too late to sow broad beans in November?
Not in mild areas: the RHS lists November sowing outdoors under cloches on well-drained soil, or in pots in an unheated greenhouse in colder areas (RHS).
What vegetables can you plant in October and November in the UK?
Garlic, overwintering broad beans and onion sets in mild areas, then rhubarb crowns and bare-root fruit in November. Under cover: spinach and winter salads. See what to plant in October for the earlier autumn list.
Should I cover Brussels sprouts and kale to protect them from frost?
No — both are frost-hardy and their flavour actually improves after a hard frost, unlike tender crops that genuinely need protection at this time of year.
🌱 Did You Know? Brussels sprouts taste noticeably sweeter after the first hard frost — cold triggers the plant to convert stored starches into sugars as a natural antifreeze response. Harvest from the bottom upwards for the best-flavoured sprouts.
Sources checked for this page (RHS)
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/planting-trees-shrubs
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/fruit/raspberries/grow-your-own
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/vegetables/rhubarb/grow-your-own
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/plants/types/hedges/planting
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/vegetables/garlic/grow-your-own
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/in-month/november
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/plants/daffodils/growing-guide
- RHS — rhs.org.uk/vegetables/spinach/grow-your-own
Plan Your Whole Year
Month-by-month sowing and planting pages for the 20 core vegetable crops in the UK Garden Planner.
Get the Garden PlannerPlan your November beds
Turn this month's list into a layout: sketch your plot in the free Garden Layout Planner, then follow the whole season with the UK Vegetable Garden Planner (printable PDF, 80 pages). For the full year, see the UK vegetable planting calendar, browse every crop in the UK growing guides, or use the UK site directory.
Last updated 29 September 2026
November at a glance: what to sow, plant out and harvest
In November, UK gardeners can sow very little outdoors — most direct sowing has finished for the year. You can start microgreens, sprouting seeds and forced chicory under cover, plant out garlic in milder southern areas before the ground freezes, and broad beans (Aquadulce Claudia) under cover in colder regions, and harvest Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, parsnips, swede and cabbage.
| November task | Good UK options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | Very little outdoors — most direct sowing has finished for the year. | Check soil moisture and local frost risk before sowing. |
| Seeds to start indoors or under cover | Microgreens, sprouting seeds and forced chicory. | Protected sowings help you control temperature, pests and watering. |
| Vegetables to plant out | Garlic in milder southern areas before the ground freezes, and broad beans (aquadulce claudia) under cover in colder regions. | Water transplants well and protect young plants where weather or pests are likely. |
| What to harvest | Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, parsnips, swede and cabbage. | Harvest little and often, then record what clears space for the next crop. |
Vegetables to sow outdoors in November
Sow very little outdoors — most direct sowing has finished for the year. Use small repeat sowings where possible so the harvest is easier to manage and gaps do not sit empty.
Seeds to start indoors or under cover
Start microgreens, sprouting seeds and forced chicory under cover. This is useful when outdoor conditions are too cold, too dry, too exposed or too pest-prone for reliable germination.
Vegetables to plant out
Plant out garlic in milder southern areas before the ground freezes, and broad beans (Aquadulce Claudia) under cover in colder regions. Match the planting window to your local weather and give new plants enough water while roots establish.
What to harvest in November
Harvest Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, parsnips, swede and cabbage. Keep notes on what performed well so next year's plan is based on your own garden rather than memory.
Jobs for the vegetable garden in November
Clear plant debris, mulch empty beds with compost or manure, order seeds for next year, plan crop rotation and clean, sharpen and oil tools before winter storage.
Common mistakes in November
Avoid leaving beds bare over winter, planting garlic into waterlogged soil, and putting off tool maintenance until spring.
Printable monthly checklist
For November, write down four columns: sow outdoors, start under cover, plant out and harvest. Add one line for weather notes, one for bed space, and one for the next crop so the month turns into a practical plan.
Related UK planting guides
Use the vegetable planting calendar UK, compare what to plant in October UK and what to plant in December UK, then check how to grow garlic UK, how to grow broad beans UK and winter gardening UK.
FAQ section
What vegetables can I plant in November in the UK?
In November, UK gardeners can sow very little outdoors — most direct sowing has finished for the year. You can start microgreens, sprouting seeds and forced chicory under cover, plant out garlic in milder southern areas before the ground freezes, and broad beans (Aquadulce Claudia) under cover in colder regions, and harvest Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, parsnips, swede and cabbage.
What seeds can I sow outdoors in November?
In November, outdoor options include very little outdoors — most direct sowing has finished for the year. Adjust the list for your local soil, weather, frost risk and available protection.
Is it too late to plant garlic in November?
In most of the UK, November is the last realistic window for garlic in the ground before it freezes. After this, wait for the spring planting window instead, which still produces a worthwhile, if smaller, crop.
Turn This Month's Jobs Into A Plan
Month-by-month advice works best when it becomes a written sowing list, bed plan, and follow-up task list.
Keep going
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.