What to Plant in November in Zone 6

I'll be honest, gardening in Zone 6 in November isn't an easy task. It's cold, the days are short, and frost shows up almost every night. But that doesn't mean we can't plant anything anymore. The gardening season isn't completely over; you just have to choose the right crops — that's the most important part of gardening this time of year.

You can still grow some cool-weather greens, root vegetables, and herbs if you protect them a bit from the cold. It's also a good time to plant garlic, onions, fruit trees, and spring bulbs before the soil gets too cold.

The trick is easy — go with the weather, not against it. Use mulch, row covers, or cold frames to protect them from the cold, and always choose the plants that actually like the cold weather. And don't worry, I will help you pick the right plants in this article.

Leafy Greens to Plant in Zone 6

Believe me, you can still grow many leafy greens easily — you just need to give them some protection from the cold at this point.

So, cover your plants on cold nights, especially the young ones. Even a plastic sheet or an old blanket can make a big difference.

I always try to keep the soil temperature above 40°F for good seed germination. If the soil gets colder than 40°F, most cool-weather plants like spinach, lettuce, and arugula won’t sprout or grow well.

Now you're probably thinking, How to keep the soil temperature above 40°F, and how I manage it. Trust me, it's not that hard. I cover my garden beds with mulch, use a cold frame, or a simple row cover — that's enough to hold in some heat and keep the soil just right for germination.

Vegetables to Plant in Zone 6 in November

Many experienced Zone 6 gardeners said, "November is garlic season". Most veggies don't like the cold weather, but garlic and onions actually need it to grow well.

If the soil is still loose and not frozen, you can also plant a few root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and beets.

I always cover garlic and onions with mulch after planting. It keeps the soil warm and also prevents weeds.

When your potato plants grow about 6–8 inches tall, you should add 3–4 inches of loose soil around their base. This keeps the potatoes covered so they don't turn green, stay protected from sunlight, and grow more in number.

Flowers to Plant in November

As per my experience, you should select a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil. If the soil stays too wet, bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses can rot and won’t bloom properly.

I always plant both early and late-blooming flowers so my garden stays bright and colorful from late winter to spring.

Fruits and Berries

November is a good time to plant bare-root fruit trees and berry bushes because they're dormant right now.

This time of year, the plants are resting and not growing leaves or fruit, so they can use all their energy to build strong roots over the winter and will grow fast and healthy in spring.

Put a thick layer of mulch (about 3-4 inches) around your young plants to protect the roots from freezing.

I always mix compost or aged manure into the top 6–8 inches of soil before planting — it really makes the soil rich and healthy.

Blueberries specifically need acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5). If your soil isn't that acidic, just add some peat moss or pine needles to lower the pH.

Herbs to Plant in November in Zone 6

Not all herbs can survive the cold winter, but some strong perennials can, or at least stay alive through winter if you protect them.

So, plant hardy herbs that can stay outside with a little protection of mulch. And if you want to grow the soft and tender ones, keep them indoors near a sunny window.

If you have any south-facing windows, keep your potted herbs near them. Trust me, your herbs will stay green and fresh all winter.