USDA Hardiness Zone 9 is defined by mild winters, with average minimum temperatures generally remaining between 20°F and 30°F, meaning severe or prolonged freezes are rare. This extended growing season allows gardeners to transition smoothly from summer crops to a robust winter harvest of cool-season vegetables and vibrant ornamental displays. November marks a new beginning for planting, leveraging the cooler temperatures and gentle sunshine to cultivate crops that struggle in the summer heat.
Preparing the Garden for November Planting
Transitioning the garden from hot summer production requires specific attention to the soil environment. After a season of warm-weather crops, the soil’s organic matter and nutrient reserves are often depleted. Amending the soil with a substantial layer of compost is a necessary step to replenish the structure and introduce slow-release nutrients for the winter crops.
Soil temperature is a factor, as root crops and leafy greens establish best when the ground is cooling down. The soil retains heat longer than the air. Gardeners should ensure the soil is loose and workable, especially for root vegetables, which require a depth of 10–12 inches for straight growth.
Watering practices shift in November compared to the summer months. Less evaporation occurs due to cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours, increasing the risk of overwatering. The best practice is to water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Although rare, Zone 9 locations can experience a light frost, so keeping row covers or frost blankets accessible for microclimate protection is a wise precaution.
Cool-Season Vegetables to Plant Now
November is the prime planting window for a variety of cool-season edibles that thrive in the mild winter conditions of Zone 9. Planting now allows these crops to mature before the brief winter chill and, more importantly, before the high heat of the following spring causes them to bolt, or prematurely flower. The focus during this period shifts primarily to greens and roots, which benefit from the shorter days and cooler soil.
Root crops like carrots, beets, and radishes should be sown directly into the prepared garden bed. Carrots benefit from cooler nights, which concentrate their sugars and enhance flavor. The soil must be loosened deeply to encourage straight root development, planting the small seeds only about a quarter-inch deep. Radishes mature rapidly, often in less than a month, making them perfect for succession planting every few weeks for a continuous harvest.
Leafy greens are highly productive in November, with the cool weather keeping their leaves crisp and preventing the bitterness caused by heat stress. Lettuce, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard can be started from seed or transplant, depending on the desired harvest time. For crops like leaf lettuce, seeds should be sown about a quarter-inch deep and later thinned to a spacing of about six inches between plants. Spinach is an excellent candidate for succession planting every two to three weeks to ensure a steady supply throughout the winter.
November is a traditional time to plant alliums, specifically garlic and onions. Garlic cloves should be separated from the bulb and planted pointy-side up approximately two inches deep, with softneck varieties generally performing better in the mild Zone 9 climate. Onions grown from sets or small bulbs should be planted now to develop their root systems over the winter for a spring harvest. Brassicas, including broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, are best planted as transplants in November to ensure they have enough time to form heads before temperatures rise.
Flowers and Bulbs for Winter Color
Beyond edibles, November is a good time to establish ornamental plantings that provide color through the winter and into spring. Cool-season annuals are planted as established seedlings that bloom continuously in the mild weather. Excellent choices include:
- Pansies
- Violas
- Snapdragons
- Petunias
These thrive in the cooler soil temperatures and continue to produce flowers until the heat of late spring.
November is the time for planting spring-blooming bulbs, which require chilling to initiate flowering. Bulbs like daffodils, snowdrops, and ranunculus are well-suited to Zone 9 and can be planted directly into the ground. Traditional spring bulbs such as tulips and hyacinths often need pre-chilling (vernalization) in a refrigerator for six to ten weeks before planting to simulate a colder winter.
For longer-term landscape planning, November is a good time to plant bare-root stock of roses and deciduous fruit trees. Planting these dormant specimens allows their root systems to establish in the cool, moist soil before they break dormancy in the spring. Adding compost during planting helps ensure the roots have the nutrients and drainage required for a successful transition.