November marks the true beginning of the gardening season across much of Arizona, an experience that stands in stark contrast to the winter dormancy found in most of the country. As temperatures finally retreat from the intense summer heat, the mild, sunny days create an ideal environment for cool-season crops to flourish. This period of renewal allows gardeners to transition their beds and containers into highly productive spaces. For Arizona residents, November planting is the start of a long, abundant cool-season harvest.
Understanding Arizona’s Planting Zones
Arizona’s vast landscape creates distinct microclimates, meaning November gardening varies significantly depending on elevation. The Low Desert, encompassing major metropolitan areas like Phoenix and Tucson (USDA Zones 9b to 10b), sees November as the start of the prime growing season. The mild winter allows for the direct sowing of many crops without immediate frost risk. The Mid-Elevation areas, such as Prescott and Payson (Zones 7b to 8), experience a longer cool season. Gardeners here may need to focus on earlier-maturing varieties or use season-extension techniques like cold frames, as nighttime temperatures can regularly dip near or below freezing. In the High Elevation regions, including Flagstaff and Show Low (Zones 5b to 7a), the growing season is short and the winter is long. November planting is highly restricted, often focusing on protected crops or preparing beds for spring, as a hard frost is common.
Cool Season Vegetables and Herbs
November is a productive month for planting cool-season vegetables and herbs, especially in the Low Desert. This is the optimal time to establish crops that prefer shorter days and cooler soil temperatures. Quick-growing leafy greens can be direct-sown now and harvested continuously through the winter months.
Leafy Greens and Root Vegetables
Quick-growing leafy greens can be direct-sown now and harvested continuously through the winter months. These include:
- Spinach
- Kale
- Swiss chard
- Various types of lettuce
A wide array of root vegetables also thrive when planted in November. Carrots, radishes, and beets should be direct-sown into loose, well-amended soil. Radishes mature rapidly, making them excellent candidates for succession planting every few weeks. Garlic cloves should be planted deep into the soil this month to ensure proper bulb development throughout the winter and spring.
Brassicas
The cooler temperatures are favorable for brassicas, which are slower to mature and often benefit from being planted as transplants.
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
These larger plants require consistent moisture and will develop their heads and sprouts as the winter progresses. In the Mid-Elevation zones, brassicas should be protected with row covers or planted in cold frames to mitigate hard freezes.
Culinary Herbs
Culinary herbs are perfectly suited for a November planting. Cilantro and dill, which quickly bolt to seed in warmer weather, will flourish in the cooler, shorter days of an Arizona winter. Parsley and chives can be planted from seed or small starts, providing fresh flavor throughout the cool season. To ensure a continuous supply, plan for succession planting, sowing small batches every two to three weeks to extend the harvest window well into spring.
Ornamental Flowers and Bulbs for Winter Color
November is the ideal time to plant cool-season annual flowers for a vibrant display during the mild Arizona winter. Pansies and violas are staples, offering a wide spectrum of colors and tolerance for light frost, suitable for both low and mid-elevation areas. Planting now allows root systems to establish before the coldest part of winter.
Cool-Season Annuals
Other popular choices for continuous color through the season include:
- Petunias
- Snapdragons
- Geraniums
- Calendula (producing bright orange and yellow blooms)
- Sweet alyssum (forming a fragrant, low-growing mat perfect for borders)
These flowers not only provide visual appeal but also attract beneficial insects to the garden. Gardeners in the Low Desert can expect these plants to flower from late November until the intense heat of late spring.
Spring-Blooming Bulbs
November is also a prime month for planting spring-blooming bulbs, which require a chilling period to flower properly. Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips should be planted this month. In the warmest parts of the Low Desert, where the winter chill is insufficient, these bulbs must be pre-chilled in a refrigerator for six to ten weeks before planting. This process mimics the cold temperatures necessary for flowering in the spring.
Essential Soil and Watering Preparation
Soil Amendment
Soil preparation is necessary for a successful cool-season garden in Arizona, where native soil is often alkaline and low in organic matter. Before planting, amend the beds with two to three inches of high-quality compost or aged manure. This organic matter replenishes nutrients depleted by summer heat, improves the soil’s structure, and aids drainage.
Irrigation Adjustments
As temperatures decrease and days shorten in November, plants require significantly less water than during the summer. Gardeners must adjust irrigation schedules to water deeply but less frequently. A deep watering once every seven to ten days is often sufficient for established plants in the Low Desert. The goal is to encourage a robust, deep root system rather than shallow, frequent surface watering.
The Role of Mulch
Applying a two- to four-inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded bark, around the plants is beneficial. Mulch helps moderate soil temperature, insulating roots from cold snaps while reducing water evaporation from the soil surface. This conserves moisture and suppresses weed growth throughout the winter. Watering should ideally be done in the early morning to allow foliage to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.