11 Vegetables to Plant in November {Zone 7}

Discover 11 vegetables perfect for November planting in Zone 7. Learn expert tips on soil prep, frost protection, and variety selection for a thriving winter garden. Ideal for gardeners seeking year-round harvests!

In Zone 7, November offers a great opportunity to plant cool-season crops for winter harvests and early spring yields. Key vegetables to plant include garlic, leafy greens like spinach and kale, root vegetables such as carrots and radishes, and hardy brassicas like cabbage and broccoli. With proper care and protection, these plants can thrive despite cooler temperatures.

Hey there, fellow Zone 7 gardeners! I’m Tom, and I’ve been tending my vegetable patch through all seasons for over 15 years now. Let me walk you through some fantastic veggies you can plant this November to keep your garden productive and your meals fresh!

1. Garlic

A vibrant garden scene showcasing the process of planting garlic in Zone 7 during November. The foreground features a gardener kneeling in rich soil, planting garlic cloves 2-4 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Hardneck garlic varieties are shown, with a few elephant garlic cloves highlighted to indicate their size. Fresh mulch is being spread around the newly planted cloves to protect them from winter cold. The background features a sunny autumn sky, with colorful fallen leaves adding to the cozy atmosphere. The overall mood is productive and inviting, showcasing the joy of planting garlic.

November is the perfect time to plant garlic in Zone 7. Here’s how I do it:

Choose hardneck varieties for cold hardiness
Plant cloves 2-4 inches deep, 6 inches apart
Mulch well to protect from winter cold

Pro tip: Plant elephant garlic too for milder, larger cloves!

2. Spinach

A close-up view of healthy spinach plants growing in a garden bed, showcasing their vibrant green leaves. Some plants are still in the seedling stage, while others are mature and ready for harvest. A hand is gently pulling out a spinach leaf, emphasizing its freshness. In the background, a protective row cover can be seen, hinting at the plant's resilience to cool weather. The scene is bathed in soft sunlight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that highlights the beauty and health benefits of spinach.

Spinach loves cool weather and can survive winter with some protection:

Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, 2 inches apart
Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart when they’re 2 inches tall
Cover with row covers or cold frames for winter harvests

3. Kale

A thriving garden bed filled with lush kale plants, their curly, dark green leaves reaching upward. The texture of the kale leaves is prominently displayed, showing the unique ruffled edges. A gardener's hand is seen harvesting a few leaves, while other mature plants stand tall, ready for picking. In the background, a misty morning or late afternoon sun casts a soft light over the garden, giving a fresh and healthy vibe. The scene should emphasize kale’s hardiness and its ability to thrive in cool weather conditions.

This super-hardy green can withstand frost and even snow:

Plant seedlings 12-18 inches apart
Mulch heavily around plants
Harvest outer leaves as needed throughout winter

4. Carrots

A vibrant garden scene featuring rows of healthy carrot plants with their feathery green tops peeking out of the soil. In the foreground, a gardener is gently pulling a bright orange carrot from the ground, showcasing its vibrant color and freshness. Nearby, a small basket holds several freshly harvested carrots, adding to the abundance of the scene. The garden is bathed in warm, golden sunlight, with rich soil and a few scattered garden tools in the background, creating an inviting atmosphere that highlights the joy of harvesting homegrown carrots.

Believe it or not, carrots can be planted in November for early spring harvests:

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in rows 12 inches apart
Cover with a layer of straw or leaves for insulation
Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart in early spring

5. Radishes

Quick-growing radishes are perfect for late-season planting:

Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, 1 inch apart
Choose winter varieties like Daikon or Black Spanish
Harvest in about 30-60 days, depending on variety

6. Cabbage

A flourishing garden scene featuring robust cabbage plants with large, leafy heads in various stages of growth. In the foreground, a gardener is inspecting a mature cabbage head, gently lifting its leaves to reveal its size and health. Nearby, a basket holds several freshly harvested cabbages, showcasing their deep green and purplish hues. The garden is surrounded by rich, dark soil, and the scene is bathed in warm sunlight, creating an inviting atmosphere. A few garden tools and a watering can are placed in the background, emphasizing the care and effort put into growing these nutritious vegetables.

Cabbage seedlings planted now will be ready for early spring harvest:

Plant seedlings 12-18 inches apart
Protect young plants with cloches or row covers
Mulch well to retain soil warmth

7. Broccoli

A vibrant garden scene showcasing healthy broccoli plants with large, dark green heads ready for harvest. In the foreground, a gardener is gently cutting a broccoli head from its stem, emphasizing the freshness and quality of the produce. A nearby basket is filled with several freshly picked broccoli heads, showcasing their rich color and texture. The garden is illuminated by bright sunlight, with rich soil and a few leafy greens in the background, creating an inviting and productive atmosphere that highlights the joy of growing and harvesting broccoli.

Like cabbage, broccoli can be planted now for spring harvests:

Set seedlings 18-24 inches apart
Water consistently to prevent buttoning (premature heading)
Harvest main head when buds are tight and dark green

8. Lettuce

A picturesque garden scene featuring rows of vibrant lettuce plants in various varieties, including crisp romaine and leafy butterhead. In the foreground, a gardener is gently harvesting a head of lettuce, showcasing its fresh, green leaves. A basket nearby is filled with freshly picked lettuce, highlighting the abundance of the harvest. The garden is bathed in soft, dappled sunlight filtering through nearby trees, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. The rich soil and a few scattered garden tools in the background emphasize the care taken in growing these nutritious greens.

Lettuce can thrive in cool weather with some protection:

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, 1 inch apart
Thin to 6-8 inches apart for head lettuce, less for leaf varieties
Use cold frames or row covers for winter harvests

9. Onions

A vibrant garden scene showcasing rows of healthy onion plants with their tall green tops and round bulbs peeking out of the soil. In the foreground, a gardener is gently pulling an onion from the ground, revealing its glossy skin and rich color. Nearby, a basket is filled with freshly harvested onions of various sizes, showcasing their golden, red, and white hues. The garden is bathed in warm sunlight, creating a cheerful and productive atmosphere, with a few garden tools and rich, dark soil in the background, emphasizing the hard work and care involved in growing onions.

Plant onion sets now for a head start on spring growth:

Plant sets 1 inch deep, 4-6 inches apart
Choose short-day varieties for Zone 7
Mulch heavily to protect from freezing temperatures

10. Peas

A delightful garden scene featuring lush pea plants climbing up trellises, their vibrant green leaves and delicate white flowers in full bloom. In the foreground, a gardener is happily harvesting a handful of plump, green pea pods, showcasing their freshness and sweetness. Nearby, a basket holds freshly picked peas, some still in their pods, while a few open pods reveal the bright green peas inside. The garden is bathed in soft, golden sunlight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that highlights the joy of growing and enjoying fresh peas.

For an early spring crop, try planting peas in November:

Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 2 inches apart
Provide a trellis or support for climbing varieties
Protect young plants with floating row covers

11. Turnips

A vibrant garden scene featuring healthy turnip plants with their lush green tops and round, white to purple roots partially visible in the soil. In the foreground, a gardener is kneeling and gently pulling a turnip from the ground, showcasing its smooth surface and rich color. A nearby basket is filled with freshly harvested turnips, emphasizing their varying sizes and hues. The garden is illuminated by bright sunlight, with rich, dark soil and a few scattered garden tools in the background, creating a cheerful and productive atmosphere that celebrates the harvest of turnips.

These fast-growing root vegetables are perfect for fall planting:

Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, 2 inches apart
Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart
Harvest both roots and greens as needed

Tips for November Planting Success

To ensure your veggies thrive, keep these points in mind:

Soil Preparation

Add compost or well-rotted manure to beds before planting
Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging in winter

Frost Protection

Use row covers, cold frames, or low tunnels to extend the growing season
Apply a thick layer of mulch around plants

Watering

Water deeply before the ground freezes
Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in cold, wet soil

Pest Management

Monitor for slugs and snails, which can be active in mild winters
Remove any diseased plant material promptly

November planting in Zone 7 can reward you with fresh vegetables through winter and early spring. By choosing the right varieties and providing appropriate care, you can keep your garden productive year-round. Remember, every garden is unique, so don’t be afraid to experiment and adapt these suggestions to your specific microclimate.

Happy planting, and here’s to a bountiful cool-season harvest!

For more gardening tips and plant care guides, visit usagardenhub.com