Last Updated on: October 9, 2026

What Vegetables Can You Plant in November in the UK? Complete Growing Guide

November might feel like the end of the vegetable growing season, but there’s still a little planting and sowing you can do in your garden or allotment.

As autumn turns towards winter, the days become shorter, temperatures fall and the soil can become increasingly wet. These conditions mean there are far fewer vegetables suitable for sowing outdoors than during spring and summer.

However, that doesn’t mean your gardening activities have to stop completely.

If you’re wondering what vegetables to plant in November in the UK, some of the best options include garlic and hardy overwintering broad beans. You can also make use of a greenhouse, polytunnel or indoor windowsill for selected crops.

Here at Gardening with Ben, I love keeping the allotment productive throughout the colder months. Even when the summer harvest has finished, there’s always something to prepare for next year’s growing season.

In this complete guide, I’ll explain what you can genuinely plant or sow in November, which crops need protection, what to grow indoors and why certain vegetables are better left until spring.

November Vegetable Planting Calendar for the UK

Before you head outside with your seeds, it’s important to understand which crops are actually suitable for November.

Vegetable	November planting method	Where to grow	Expected harvest
Garlic	Plant individual cloves	Outdoors in mild, well-drained areas or modules in a cold frame	Summer
Broad beans	Sow hardy overwintering varieties	Outdoors in mild sheltered areas, or pots under cover	Late spring–summer
Winter onion sets	Only where the supplier permits late planting	Outdoors in suitable soil	Early–midsummer
Winter lettuce	Mainly established plants from earlier sowings	Greenhouse, cold frame or polytunnel	Winter–spring
Spinach	Mainly maintain earlier sowings	Under cover	Winter–spring
Rocket	Maintain established plants; experimental late sowings only	Under cover	Winter–spring
Pea shoots	Sow seeds for young edible shoots	Bright indoor position	Around 2–4 weeks
Microgreens	Sow suitable seeds	Indoors with adequate light	Often 1–3 weeks

Important: Some crops in this table are for planting, some for sowing and others for maintaining plants established earlier. They shouldn’t all be treated as reliable new outdoor sowings in November.

1. Plant Garlic in November

Garlic is one of the best crops to plant during November in the UK.

Many garlic varieties benefit from exposure to cool winter temperatures, which helps encourage proper bulb development.

Planting during autumn gives garlic plenty of time to establish before its main growing period in spring.

However, it’s important to choose suitable growing conditions.

Can Garlic Be Planted Outdoors in November?

Yes, but outdoor November planting is most suitable where soil is free-draining and rainfall is relatively low.

In colder or wetter parts of the country, planting directly into the soil can be risky because garlic cloves may rot in waterlogged ground.

If your allotment has heavy clay soil, a raised bed with good drainage or starting cloves in modules under protection may be more reliable.

How to Plant Garlic in November

Step 1: Choose seed garlic

Buy healthy seed garlic from a reputable UK gardening supplier.

Choose varieties recommended for autumn planting.

Step 2: Separate the cloves

Carefully divide the garlic bulb into individual cloves.

Keep the papery covering intact.

Step 3: Prepare the growing area

Choose a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil.

Avoid planting in beds where you have experienced serious allium diseases.

Step 4: Plant at the correct depth

Plant each clove with the flatter root end pointing downwards and the pointed tip facing upwards.

A useful general guide is to position the tip approximately 2.5cm below the soil surface, adjusting for the growing conditions and variety.

Step 5: Allow suitable spacing

Space cloves around 15cm apart with approximately 30cm between rows.

Step 6: Cover and water if necessary

Replace the soil gently.

If the ground is already moist from autumn rainfall, additional watering is generally unnecessary.

Best Garlic Varieties for Autumn Planting

Popular UK choices include:

• Solent Wight
• Germidour
• Cristo
• Carcassonne Wight
• Red Duke

Check individual variety information because planting periods can differ.

When Will November-Planted Garlic Be Ready?

Garlic planted in November will generally be harvested from late spring through summer the following year, depending on variety and growing conditions.

The lower leaves beginning to yellow are one indication that harvesting time is approaching.

2. Start Garlic in Modules Under Cover

If your allotment soil is extremely wet during November, you don’t have to risk planting garlic directly outdoors.

Starting individual cloves in modules can be a useful alternative.

This is especially relevant for gardeners in Yorkshire and other wetter northern areas.

How to Start Garlic in Modules

Choose deep modules or small pots with drainage holes.

Fill with suitable peat-free compost.

Plant one healthy garlic clove in each module, with the pointed tip upwards.

Cover to the recommended depth.

Water lightly if needed and allow excess water to drain.

Keep the modules in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse where they receive light and are protected from prolonged heavy rain.

Check them regularly to make sure the compost remains appropriately moist rather than saturated.

When Should You Plant Out Module-Grown Garlic?

Plant the cloves into their final growing positions once the soil becomes suitable.

Avoid allowing the roots to become excessively restricted in small modules.

The plants can tolerate cool conditions, but good drainage remains important.

3. Sow Broad Beans in November

Hardy broad beans are one of the few vegetables that can be sown during November.

However, the key is choosing varieties suitable for overwintering.

Ordinary spring-sowing broad beans aren’t necessarily appropriate for November planting.

Best Broad Bean Variety for November

Aquadulce Claudia is one of the most popular and reliable varieties for autumn sowing in the UK.

It’s particularly well known for its cold tolerance and suitability for overwintering.

In favourable conditions, autumn-sown broad beans can provide an earlier harvest than spring-sown crops.

Where Should You Sow Broad Beans?

Outdoor November sowing is best suited to mild, sheltered areas with well-drained soil.

If your allotment is exposed, cold or regularly waterlogged, starting broad beans in pots under cover or waiting until spring may give better results.

How to Sow Broad Beans Outdoors

Choose a sunny, sheltered position.

Remove weeds and prepare well-drained soil.

Sow seeds approximately 5–7.5cm deep.

Space seeds around 15–23cm apart, depending on the variety.

For single rows, leave approximately 45cm between rows.

Cover the seeds with soil and water if necessary.

Protect the seeds from mice and check young seedlings for slug damage.

Do November Broad Beans Need Frost Protection?

Hardy varieties tolerate ordinary cool conditions once established, but severe winter weather may still damage young plants.

Horticultural fleece or cloches can offer some protection.

However, neither will guarantee survival during prolonged severe frost.

When Will November-Sown Broad Beans Be Ready?

In favourable conditions, overwintered broad beans may produce harvestable pods during late spring or early summer.

Harvesting time depends heavily on winter survival and spring temperatures.

4. Can You Plant Onion Sets in November?

This is a question many gardeners ask.

The answer is that some overwintering onion sets may be planted in early November, but it depends on the variety, supplier’s instructions and soil conditions.

Many autumn onion sets are recommended for planting during September and October.

By November, the soil may be colder and wetter, making establishment less reliable.

Autumn Onion Varieties

Popular overwintering choices include Radar, Senshyu Yellow and Electric.

However, always check the planting dates printed on your particular packet.

Should You Plant Late Onion Sets?

If your supplier recommends November planting and the soil is well drained, it may be worth trying.

If the ground is saturated or the recommended planting period has passed, don’t force the job.

The alternative is to wait and grow suitable spring onion sets when conditions improve.

5. Grow Pea Shoots Indoors in November

If you’re looking for something that can produce a harvest during November itself, pea shoots are an excellent choice.

Unlike growing peas for pods, you harvest the young shoots while they’re tender.

This makes pea shoots useful for indoor growing during the colder months.

How to Grow Pea Shoots

Choose seeds suitable for growing as edible pea shoots.

Fill a shallow tray with suitable compost.

Sow the seeds fairly closely together.

Cover with a thin layer of compost and water gently.

Place the tray in a bright indoor position.

Keep the compost appropriately moist.

Harvest the shoots when they’ve developed enough young growth, often within a few weeks.

What Can You Use Pea Shoots For?

Pea shoots can be added to salads, sandwiches and stir-fries.

They provide fresh green growth at a time of year when many outdoor vegetables are growing very slowly.

6. Grow Microgreens Indoors

Microgreens are another useful option for November.

These are young edible seedlings harvested shortly after their first leaves develop.

They can be grown indoors, making them suitable for gardeners without a greenhouse or polytunnel.

Suitable Microgreens

Depending on the seed supplier, suitable options may include:

• Radish
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Mustard
• Kale

Use seeds specifically sold as suitable for sprouting or microgreen production, or untreated edible seed suitable for this use.

Avoid seeds that have been chemically treated.

How to Grow Microgreens

Fill a shallow tray with a suitable growing medium.

Sow the seeds evenly.

Cover as recommended for the particular crop.

Provide adequate light and maintain suitable moisture.

Harvest with clean scissors once the shoots reach the appropriate stage.

Good hygiene, airflow and suitable growing conditions are important to reduce mould and food-safety risks.

7. What Can You Grow in a Polytunnel in November?

A polytunnel can be particularly useful during the colder months.

It provides shelter from wind and rain and may offer slightly warmer conditions during the day.

However, November is a difficult month for starting many new crops because there are fewer daylight hours.

Most successful November polytunnel crops were established earlier in autumn.

Winter Lettuce

Established winter lettuce plants can continue growing slowly during mild conditions.

Suitable varieties include Arctic King, Winter Density and Valdor.

Late November sowings are generally unreliable in an unheated polytunnel.

Spinach

Hardy spinach planted earlier in autumn may continue producing leaves.

During the darkest months, growth can become extremely slow.

Rocket

Established rocket plants may survive under cover and provide occasional harvests.

Protect the plants from excessive moisture and monitor them for pests.

Mustard Greens

Hardy mustard greens established earlier in autumn can provide colourful leaves for winter picking.

Important Polytunnel Advice

Ventilate during suitable mild weather.

Avoid overwatering.

Remove diseased or rotting foliage.

Watch for slugs.

Remember that an unheated polytunnel can still freeze during severe winter weather.

8. What About Growing Vegetables in a Greenhouse?

An unheated greenhouse can be used in much the same way as a polytunnel during November.

It’s useful for protecting established winter crops from heavy rainfall and cold winds.

However, it doesn’t guarantee frost-free temperatures.

Suitable November Greenhouse Activities

Maintain established winter salads.

Start garlic cloves in modules.

Start hardy broad beans in suitable pots.

Check young plants for pests and diseases.

Improve airflow during mild weather.

Clean glazing to maximise available daylight.

Should You Sow Lots of Seeds in November?

Generally, no.

For most vegetables, November is a poor month for germination and active growth without supplementary heat and light.

Starting seeds too early can produce weak, leggy plants that struggle before spring arrives.

Choose varieties specifically recommended for the time of year.

9. Can You Sow Carrots in November?

For ordinary outdoor vegetable growing in the UK, November is not a suitable time to sow carrots.

Carrots require suitable temperatures and sufficient growing time to produce worthwhile roots.

Although established carrot crops may still be harvested during November, that doesn’t mean new seeds should be sown.

For most UK gardeners, carrot sowing is best planned for spring and summer.

10. Can You Sow Beetroot in November?

November is generally too late for reliable new outdoor beetroot sowings in the UK.

You may still be harvesting beetroot planted earlier in the year, but that is different from starting a new crop.

Wait until suitable temperatures return in spring for normal outdoor sowing.

11. Can You Sow Radishes in November?

Radishes grow quickly during suitable spring and autumn conditions.

However, shorter days and lower temperatures mean November sowings in an unheated greenhouse or polytunnel may develop very slowly.

For reliable root crops, November isn’t a recommended general sowing month.

If you want fresh radish flavour during winter, growing suitable radish microgreens indoors may be a better option.

12. Can You Sow Peas Outdoors in November?

Some hardy pea varieties can be sown in late autumn under favourable conditions.

However, November outdoor sowing becomes increasingly risky, particularly in colder and wetter parts of the UK.

Poor drainage and winter weather can damage seeds and seedlings.

In northern England, I would generally recommend waiting until late winter or spring unless you’re experimenting with a specifically recommended overwintering variety in a mild, sheltered location.

13. What Vegetables Should You Avoid Planting in November?

Most summer vegetables shouldn’t be sown or planted outdoors during November.

These include:

• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Courgettes
• Pumpkins
• Sweetcorn
• French beans
• Runner beans
• Peppers
• Aubergines

These crops require warmer temperatures and suitable daylight to develop.

Even in an unheated greenhouse, November is generally far too late to begin growing them for a worthwhile outdoor-season crop.

Save your seeds and plan for the appropriate spring sowing period instead.

14. What Vegetables Can You Harvest in November?

Although sowing opportunities are limited, November can still be a productive harvesting month.

Depending on what you planted earlier in the growing season, you may be harvesting:

• Leeks
• Parsnips
• Carrots
• Brussels sprouts
• Kale
• Winter cabbage
• Swedes
• Turnips
• Celeriac
• Jerusalem artichokes
• Swiss chard
• Winter lettuce

The important difference is that these are crops established earlier in the year.

For example, November is a good time to harvest certain parsnips, but it’s not a suitable month to begin a new outdoor parsnip crop.

15. November Vegetable Growing in Yorkshire

If you’re gardening in Sheffield, Yorkshire or another northern part of England, November conditions can be particularly challenging.

Colder temperatures, shorter days and frequent rainfall reduce the opportunities for new outdoor sowings.

My Advice for Northern Gardeners

Concentrate on hardy crops and suitable overwintering varieties.

Don’t plant into waterlogged ground.

Use a cold frame, greenhouse or polytunnel where appropriate.

Consider planting garlic in modules rather than directly outdoors.

Choose Aquadulce Claudia if you want to try overwintering broad beans.

Keep established winter vegetables protected from birds and severe weather.

Don’t expect rapid growth during December and January.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is prepare the soil and wait for better conditions rather than sow seeds that are unlikely to establish.

16. Should You Feed Vegetables in November?

Most established vegetables grow very slowly during November.

For this reason, they generally need much less feeding than crops growing rapidly during spring and summer.

Avoid applying heavy fertiliser simply because the growing season is changing.

If you’re planting garlic or broad beans, focus on suitable soil conditions, drainage and correct planting methods.

Good soil preparation is often more important than repeated feeding during cold weather.

17. Common Mistakes When Growing Vegetables in November

Planting Summer Crops Too Late

Most tender vegetables cannot develop successfully outdoors during November.

Ignoring Waterlogged Soil

Cold, saturated ground can cause seeds and cloves to rot.

Sowing Too Many Seeds Under Cover

Low light levels can produce weak seedlings and very slow growth.

Expecting Fast Winter Harvests

Many hardy crops survive the winter but produce little new growth during the darkest months.

Forgetting Frost Protection

An unheated greenhouse or polytunnel can still freeze.

Using the Wrong Varieties

Always choose crops specifically recommended for overwintering.

Confusing Harvesting with Sowing

Just because a vegetable can be harvested in November doesn’t mean it can be newly sown at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions About November Vegetable Planting

What Vegetables Can You Plant in November in the UK?

Garlic and hardy overwintering broad beans are the main options. Some overwintering onion sets may also be planted if the supplier recommends it and conditions are suitable.

What Seeds Can You Sow Outdoors in November?

Hardy broad beans, especially Aquadulce Claudia, are among the most suitable choices in mild, sheltered areas.

Can You Plant Garlic in November?

Yes. Garlic can be planted outdoors in mild, well-drained conditions or started in modules under protection in colder, wetter areas.

Can You Plant Onion Sets in November?

Some autumn onion varieties may still be planted, depending on supplier guidance and local conditions.

Can You Sow Carrots in November?

Not reliably outdoors in the UK. Wait until the appropriate spring sowing period.

Can You Sow Beetroot in November?

New outdoor beetroot sowings are generally too late in November.

Can You Grow Vegetables in a Polytunnel in November?

Yes. Established hardy salads may survive and grow slowly, while garlic and broad beans can be started under suitable protection.

Can You Grow Vegetables Indoors in November?

Yes. Pea shoots and suitable microgreens are excellent options for a bright indoor position.

Can You Plant Potatoes in November?

November is generally unsuitable for starting a new outdoor potato crop in the UK.

Can You Grow Broad Beans in November in Yorkshire?

You can try hardy varieties, but wet, exposed conditions increase the risk of failure. Starting seeds under cover or delaying until spring may be more reliable.

What Vegetables Grow Fastest in November?

Indoor microgreens and pea shoots are among the quickest options. Outdoor vegetables generally grow very slowly because of cold temperatures and short days.

What Should You Do If It’s Too Wet to Plant?

Avoid working waterlogged soil. Prepare containers or modules under cover, plan your next crops and wait for better conditions.

Final Thoughts from Gardening with Ben

November might be one of the quieter months on the allotment, but there are still a few useful things you can plant and grow.

Garlic and hardy broad beans are two of the best options if you want to get a head start on next year’s harvest.

And if you have a greenhouse, polytunnel or bright indoor growing space, there’s still an opportunity to enjoy a little fresh green growth during the colder months.

The key is understanding what will genuinely grow successfully at this time of year.

Rather than trying to sow every vegetable under the sun, concentrate on suitable hardy varieties, protect established plants and make the most of the growing space you have available.

Even when the weather is cold and the days are short, there’s always something to look forward to in the garden and on the allotment.

Keep smiling, keep shining, keep gardening with Ben!