Is Mid-November Too Late to Plant? 10 Things You Can Still Grow in the South

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Every November, someone asks me the same question at church or the feed store: "Is it too late to plant anything this year?"

If you live up north, the answer might be yes. But here in the South, mid-November is a sweet spot. The soil is still warm from summer, the air is cool, and our winters are mild enough that many crops keep growing right through to spring.

So if you missed the September planting rush, don't worry. You still have plenty of options.

Quick answer: No, mid-November isn't too late to plant in the South. In zones 8 and 9, you can still plant garlic, onion sets, spinach, lettuce, kale, collards, radishes, turnips, spring bulbs, wildflower seeds, and container-grown trees and shrubs. Cool soil and fall rain help roots settle in before spring.

In this post:

1. Why the South gets a second planting season

2. 10 things you can still plant in mid-November

3. Seeds or transplants: which to choose this late

4. FAQ

1. Why the South Gets a Second Planting Season

In northern states, the ground freezes solid by December. But across most of the South, including East Texas, winter brings only short cold snaps followed by mild, sunny days.

That means cool-season crops can keep growing slowly all winter. Many of them, like kale, collards and spinach, actually taste sweeter after a light frost, because the plants convert starches into sugars to protect themselves from the cold.

The "count back" rule: Look at the "days to maturity" on the seed packet. If a crop can mature before spring heat arrives in May, you have time to plant it. Most cool-season vegetables mature in 30 to 90 days, which is why mid-November still works.

2. 10 Things You Can Still Plant in Mid-November

1. Garlic

Garlic is the classic late-fall crop. It needs a long, cool season to form big bulbs, so it goes in now and comes out in late spring. In Texas, you can plant garlic until early December. Choose softneck or Creole varieties, which do better in our mild winters than hardneck types.
Get it here →

2. Onion Sets and Shallots

Onion sets planted now grow into green onions you can harvest all winter. Shallots planted now will divide into clusters by late spring. (For big bulb onions, wait until January and plant short-day onion transplants.)

Get mixed bulbs here →

3. Spinach

Spinach germinates well in cool soil and grows happily through Southern winters. Sow seeds directly, half an inch deep, and keep the soil moist. Savoy types like Bloomsdale hold up well to cold.

Get mixed bulbs here →

4. Lettuce Transplants

This late in the season, lettuce transplants give you a head start. Leaf lettuces are the most cold-tolerant and can be harvested a few leaves at a time. Keep frost cloth handy for nights in the low 20s.

Get transplants here →

5. Kale and Collards

These two are the toughest greens in the garden. Plant transplants 12 to 18 inches apart, and you'll be picking leaves all winter long. Collards can handle temperatures into the teens.

Get both in a bundle here →

6. Radishes

Radishes are the speediest crop in the garden. Many varieties are ready in about a month, so even a late planting gives you a harvest before Christmas. Try Cherry Belle for a classic round radish.

Get seeds here →

7. Turnips

Turnips are two crops in one. You can harvest the tender greens in a few weeks and the roots later in winter. Purple Top White Globe is a reliable Southern favorite.

Get it here →

8. Daffodils and Other Spring Bulbs

November is a great month to plant daffodils, jonquils and other bulbs that come back year after year in the South. Plant them about twice as deep as the bulb is tall, pointy end up. They're also deer- and rodent-resistant.
Get daffodils here →

9. Container-Grown Trees and Shrubs

Fall is the best time of year to plant trees and shrubs in the South. Roots keep growing in the cool, moist soil all winter, so plants are established before summer heat. Container-grown fruit trees, blueberries, figs and native shrubs can all go in now. If you're buying bare-root trees, Texas A&M AgriLife suggests waiting until January.

10. Wildflower Seeds (Including Bluebonnets!)

If you want a spring full of bluebonnets, now is the time. Texas wildflower seeds need cool, moist winter conditions to germinate and grow strong roots. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center recommends planting bluebonnet seeds no later than the end of November.

Tip: Rake the soil lightly, scatter the seed, and press it in so it makes good contact with the soil. Don't bury it deep.

Get bluebonnet seeds here →

3. Seeds or Transplants: Which to Choose This Late

In mid-November, the choice between seeds and transplants matters more than it did in September.

Use seeds for fast or root crops: radishes, turnips, spinach, mustard greens and carrots. Root crops don't transplant well, and quick crops like radishes have plenty of time.

Use transplants for slower leafy crops: kale, collards, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli. A transplant gives you a 4–6 week head start, which is a big advantage this late in the year.

Use cloves, sets and bulbs for: garlic, onions, shallots and daffodils. These are the easiest of all for beginners.

What not to plant now: Skip warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans and okra. The first frost will kill them.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the latest you can plant garlic?

In most of Texas and the South, you can plant garlic until early December. Planting earlier, in October or November, usually gives bigger bulbs, because the plants have more time to grow roots before spring.

Can you plant seeds in November?

Yes. In the South, you can direct-sow cool-season seeds like radishes, turnips, spinach, mustard greens and carrots in November. Fast-growing crops are the safest choices this late in the season.

What happens if I plant too late?

Planting too late usually means a smaller harvest. Seedlings may not grow big enough before a hard freeze, and some crops may bolt (go to seed) when spring heat arrives before they're ready to harvest. Using transplants and covering plants during freezes helps.

It's Not Too Late. Get Planting!

The best time to plant was September, but the second-best time is today. A few garlic cloves, a row of spinach and a handful of bluebonnet seeds planted this week will reward you all winter and into spring.

What are you still planting this month? Tell us in the comments below!

Hi, I’m Miss B!

Welcome to Little House in the Pines, where our family is learning to live simply and faithfully on our little homestead in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Here you’ll find what we’re growing in the garden, what’s happening in the chicken coop, what’s simmering on the stove, and what the Lord is teaching us through it all.

We love exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith in Yeshua, and we’re always learning, always making mistakes, and always grateful for His grace. Pull up a chair and stay a while!

Further Reading:

1. Wildflower Forecast and Bluebonnet Planting Tips · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

2. When Do I Plant Wildflower Seeds for Spring Blooms? · Texas A&M Stories

3. General Wildflower Planting Guidelines · Texas Department of Transportation

4. Fall Vegetable Gardening Guide for Texas · Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

5. Time to Create a Cold Protection Plan for Your Garden · AgriLife Today

6. Vegetable Gardening in October · Travis County AgriLife Extension

7. Growing Garlic · Central Texas Gardener

8. How to Grow Texas Bluebonnets from Seed · Wildseed Farms