Winter is arriving — planting slows but doesn't stop. Garlic and broad beans can still go in, and the garden rewards careful preparation now with strong harvests next year.
Plan every month with the UK vegetable planting calendar.
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
What to Grow Indoors in November
- Microgreens — ready in 7–14 days on a windowsill
- Sprouting seeds — peas, lentils, and radish sprouts in jars; ready in 3–5 days
- Forced chicory — lift roots, pot in dark, harvest tender chicons in 3–4 weeks
What to Plant Outdoors in November
- Garlic — last chance to plant cloves before the ground freezes; plant by mid-November in most regions
- Broad beans — Aquadulce Claudia in milder southern areas only; start in modules under cover in colder regions
Scotland and northern England: outdoor sowing in November is not recommended — focus on indoor growing and planning.
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
- 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?
You've missed the main autumn window — rather than forcing a late planting, wait for the spring window (February–March) instead, which still produces a worthwhile, if smaller, crop.
Can I plant rhubarb crowns in November?
Yes — bare-root rhubarb crowns are planted while dormant, any time from November through to March, into a permanent bed.
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.
Plan Your Whole Year
Month-by-month sowing and planting schedules for every UK crop.
Get the Garden PlannerLast updated 4 July 2026
What To Plant In November 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.
| 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.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.