November in Zone 12
November in Zone 12 (last frost none, first frost none). There are 7 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
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- Min Winter Temp
- 50 to 60 Β°F / 10 to 16 Β°C
- Last Spring Frost
- None
- First Fall Frost
- None
- Growing Season
- Year-round (365 days)
- Annual Rainfall
- 20β100 in
November overview
November closes the main gardening season in cold zones as the ground approaches freezing. In warm and subtropical zones, November is a productive mid-season month with optimal cool-weather growing conditions. Preparation for winter defines this month in the North.
Final clean-up and mulching in cold zones; active cool-season harvesting in warm zones; ordering bare-root trees and shrubs; tool maintenance.
- Season
- fall
- Temperature trend
- Cold in most of the country; ground may freeze in cold zones by month's end.
- Daylight
- Very short days; approaching the minimum daylight in late November.
- Zone 12 last frost
- None
- Zone 12 first frost
- None
4
Sow indoors
3
Sow outdoors
0
Transplant
0
Harvest
1
Maintenance
π± Sow indoors
Start these indoors
Get a jump on the season under lights or on a sunny windowsill so transplants are ready when the weather warms.
Peppers
Sow β in deep at 80Β°F on a heat mat. Slow to sprout (14β21 days) β start early.
Eggplant
Sow ΒΌ in deep at 80Β°F; needs steady warmth for 8 weeks indoors.
Onions
Sow ΒΌ in deep in trays; keep tops trimmed to 3 in for stocky transplants. Choose day-length type for your latitude.
Parsley
Soak seed overnight; slow to germinate (3 weeks). Surface-sow under lights.
πΏ Sow outdoors
Sow these directly outdoors
Soil and weather are right to sow these straight into the garden where they will grow.
Spinach
Fall/overwinter crop: sow late summer; survives hard frost under cover.
Radishes
Fall sowing gives crisper, milder roots than spring.
Garlic
Plant cloves 2 in deep, pointy end up, 6 in apart in fall; mulch heavily. Harvest the following midsummer.
π οΈ Maintenance
Keep the garden growing
Mid-season upkeep keeps plants healthy and productive.
π Water deeply and less often, mulch to hold moisture, side-dress heavy feeders, scout for pests, and succession-sow quick crops.
General November tasks
These apply broadly regardless of zone β a useful checklist alongside the zone-specific tasks above.
- βComplete mulching of perennial beds and tree root zones
- βDrain and store hoses, irrigation lines, and water features before hard freeze
- βPlant bare-root roses, trees, and shrubs in mild-winter zones
- βHarvest remaining root vegetables before ground freezes solid
- βApply anti-desiccant sprays to broadleaf evergreens in exposed locations
- βStore garden tools after cleaning, sharpening, and oiling
- βSubmit soil tests for results to plan spring fertilization
- βPlant cool-season crops actively in Zones 8β13
β Watch-outs for November
- β Don't leave tender bulbs (dahlias, cannas, elephant ears) in ground in cold zones
- β Mulch applied too early can attract rodents to nest against plant crowns β apply after hard frost
- β Evergreens can suffer winter burn from dry winds β water thoroughly before ground freezes
- β Check tree ties and staking to ensure they won't girdle trunks over winter
November in Zone 12: common questions
What can I plant in November in Zone 12?οΌ
In November, Zone 12 gardeners can sow or transplant Peppers, Eggplant, Onions, Parsley, Spinach, Radishes, and Garlic. November in Zone 12 (last frost none, first frost none). There are 7 crops to sow, transplant, or harvest this month.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 12?οΌ
Zone 12 typically has its last spring frost around None and its first fall frost around None, giving a growing season of roughly 365β365 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What garden jobs matter most in November in Zone 12?οΌ
Focus on complete mulching of perennial beds and tree root zones, drain and store hoses, irrigation lines, and water features before hard freeze, plant bare-root roses, trees, and shrubs in mild-winter zones. Watch out for don't leave tender bulbs (dahlias, cannas, elephant ears) in ground in cold zones.