November marks a significant shift in the Florida gardening calendar, moving away from the intense heat and torrential downpours of the summer monsoon season. This transition brings mild temperatures and decreased humidity, creating a favorable environment for a wide array of cool-season crops. The cooler, drier weather reduces the pressure from many summer pests and fungal diseases, making this period the most productive growing season for edibles across the state. Florida gardeners essentially trade the challenge of summer heat stress for the delight of a temperate winter harvest.
How Florida’s Zones Affect November Planting
Florida encompasses USDA Hardiness Zones ranging from 8b in the Panhandle to 11 in the Keys, meaning November planting success is highly dependent on location. North Florida, corresponding to Zones 8b and 9a, experiences the highest risk of frost, with average minimum winter temperatures dipping as low as 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Gardeners in this region must adhere to earlier planting deadlines to ensure crops mature before the potential arrival of a hard freeze.
Central Florida, primarily Zone 9b, has a milder winter, and November is the optimal time for nearly all cool-season crops. South Florida, including Zones 10 and 11, is largely frost-free, allowing for the planting of greens and brassicas throughout the winter, and sometimes even a second season of warm-weather crops like tomatoes and peppers. This extended window means that while North Florida is preparing for frost, South Florida is often treating winter as its primary growing season.
Cool-Season Vegetables to Start Now
November is the prime month to sow or transplant a diverse range of cool-season vegetables that thrive in the mild Florida winter. Leafy greens are particularly well-suited for this time, benefiting from the reduced sun intensity and cooler air. These crops prefer the mild conditions and can be harvested using the “cut-and-come-again” method to prolong production.
Leafy greens to plant now for continuous harvest include:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collard greens
Root crops require consistent moisture and cooler soil temperatures to develop properly and should be direct-sown in November. Direct sowing is generally preferred for these crops to prevent root disturbance, which can cause misshapen or split vegetables.
Excellent root crop choices include:
- Carrots
- Radishes (often ready for harvest in under a month)
- Beets
- Turnips
The Brassica family, sometimes referred to as cole crops, includes broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, which require a longer, cool period to form their edible heads. While all zones can plant these now, North and Central Florida gardeners must ensure they are transplanted early in the month to allow sufficient time for maturity before the season ends. South Florida can transplant brassicas later and often enjoys a longer growing season for these heading vegetables. Other vegetables like celery, Swiss chard, and English peas can also be started statewide in November.
Adding Color and Flavor
Beyond the main vegetable harvest, November provides an excellent opportunity to establish herbs and vibrant cool-season annual flowers. Herbs flourish in the cooler, drier conditions and will not bolt, or prematurely flower, as they tend to do in the summer heat. These annual and biennial herbs provide fresh flavor throughout the winter.
Herbs to plant now include:
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Chives
For landscape color, November is the ideal time to introduce cool-season annuals that will bloom through the winter and early spring. Planting these now allows their root systems to establish before the coldest parts of the season, ensuring a robust and colorful display for months. Camellias, which are shrubs, also begin to flower as early as November, providing dramatic, rose-like blooms.
Cool-season annuals perfect for garden beds and containers include:
- Petunias
- Pansies
- Violas
- Snapdragons
- Dianthus
Essential November Planting Techniques
As Florida transitions into its dry season, active irrigation becomes necessary. Unlike summer, when daily rain often dictates turning off automatic systems, November plantings rely on the gardener to provide consistent moisture. Deep, infrequent watering is recommended to encourage deep root growth, especially since the sandy Florida soil drains quickly. Gardeners should aim for about a half-inch of water, two times per week, adjusting based on local conditions.
Soil preparation is crucial, as summer rains often leach nutrients from the soil. Amending the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting replenishes nutrients and improves water retention for the dry winter. While some summer pests decline, cool-weather pests like aphids, whiteflies, and cabbage worms become more active, requiring diligent scouting and management.
North Florida gardeners must also prepare for the possibility of cold snaps by having frost protection materials ready. Frost cloth or blankets should be on hand to cover tender crops when temperatures are forecast to drop near freezing. Watering the soil thoroughly a day or two before an expected freeze can also help, as moist soil retains more heat than dry soil, providing a small measure of protection to plant roots.