Best fruit and vegetables to plant in November – 9 options to give you a head start on next year's garden

Looking for the best fruit and vegetables to plant in November? Us, too – and there's a surprisingly wide selection for this time of year.

Whether you're searching for the easiest fruit trees to grow or you're wondering what vegetables grow in winter, planting certain fruit and veg now could reward you with a bumper crop next year.

While it might seem like an odd time to be planting, what with the winter weather on its way, it's actually one of the best jobs to do in the garden in November to set next year's garden in motion.

But what are the best fruit and vegetables to plant in November, exactly?

The best fruit and vegetables to plant in November

People tend to assume that the gardening season is over come November, but nothing could be further from the truth: from learning how to plant a magnolia tree to finally planting out your tulip bulbs, there are plenty of garden jobs best done this month.

Naturally, the same is true of our vegetable beds, so it's a good idea to get acquainted with the best fruit and vegetables to plant in November.

1. Broad beans

First on our list of the best fruit and vegetables to sow in November are a gardener's favourite: broad beans.

'Broad beans are a sure bet for planting in November or December for an early crop next year,' says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries. 'Plant them in cell trays in an unheated greenhouse and plant them out later on, or if you have a well-drained veg patch, plant them straight outside.'

As with other vegetables, certain varieties are better suited to autumn planting. 'Varieties such as Broad Bean 'Autumn Light' can be sown in autumn for an early summer crop, meaning you have two or even three sowings in the year,' says heirloom seed company SheGrowsVeg.

'Help protect the seeds with a fleece or cloche through the colder months. You can harvest the pods once they are full but still small – regular picking will encourage more pods to form.'

Where to buy broad bean seeds:

• Crocus: A hearty selection of broad bean seeds
• Thompson & Morgan: Broad bean seeds aplenty
• Sarah Raven: More broad bean seeds that you can shake a supportive stake at

2. Bare root fruit trees

We've already explained all the reasons why you should plant a fruit tree this autumn, but now we have one more to add to the list: fruit trees are the cream of the crop when it comes to finding the best fruit and vegetables to plant in November.

'Bare root fruit trees are cheaper and more environmentally responsible than potted trees from the garden centre because they don’t need a plastic pot or compost, they demand less water, and they are cheaper to transport,' says Morris.

As well as learning how to plant bare root trees, you'll need to time it right. 'As a general rule of thumb, plant apple trees between November and February when trees are dormant, and avoid planting when the ground is frozen,' says Chi Chi Dunford, head kitchen gardener at Sculpture by the Lakes.

Where to buy bare root fruit trees:

• Thompson & Morgan: A wide variety of bare root fruit trees, from pears to apples
• Crocus: A good selection of bare root fruit trees, including blackcurrants and cherries

3. Salad leaves and winter lettuce

Easily one of the easiest and best fruit and vegetables to sow in November is the not-so-humble salad leaf.

'Salad leaves such as lettuce, mizuna, mustard, spinach, lettuce, and rocket can all be sown in pots or trays on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse for a winter crop of young tender leaves a few weeks later,' says Morris.

Morris Hankinson

Morris Hankinson is the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s only specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants, which he established after graduating with a Commercial Horticulture Degree from Writtle College, Essex in 1992.

'You could also grow varieties of lettuce such as ‘Winter Gem’ in pots or in the soil.'

Where to buy salad and winter lettuce seeds:

• Crocus: A multi-pack of winter lettuce seeds
• Thompson & Morgan: A wide selection of salad seeds and 'Brighton' (Winter Butterhead) lettuce seeds
• Sarah Raven: Lettuce 'Best Winter Mix'

4. Blueberry plants

Blueberries are an antioxidant-packed superfood, so you'd best believe we consider them among best fruit and vegetables to sow in November.

'This is one of the best months to sow blueberry plants,' says Christopher O'Donoghue, one of the co-directors at Gardens Revived. 'And they grow well regardless of whether you choose to pop them straight in the ground or in pots.'

Christopher O'Donoghue

A gardener with over a decade of experience under his belt, Christopher set up Gardens Revived with his brother, Andrew, in 2018 to create a thriving family business. Together, they have worked on residential gardens, listed buildings and gardens, flower shows and large estates with some exceeding 70 acres – many with historical significance.

If you decide to give these nutrient-dense berries a go, just make sure you treat them to some ericaceous compost and a good watering to help them settle in.

Where to buy blueberry plants:

• Crocus: A good selection of blueberry plants
• Thompson & Morgan: A Staple Blueberry Duo

5. Peas

Not traditionally considered to be one of the best fruit and vegetables to sow in November, Morris also has his eye on some winter pea varieties this year.

'Peas are another candidate for winter planting,' he says. 'When buying your seeds, be sure to choose a ‘first early’ variety though, as these are varieties that have been bred to be hardy over winter and will crop early next year.'

Pea 'Meteor' is a favourite first early variety of Ideal Home's gardens editor, Sophie.

Where to buy pea seeds:

• Thompson & Morgan: Try Pea 'Meteor' seeds for delicious pickings from March
• Crocus: Pea 'Early Onward' seeds are another popular choice

6. Raspberries

It's definitely time to learn how to grow raspberries, as these little wonders are some of the best fruit and vegetables to sow in November.

'Nothing beats a raspberry picked straight from the cane,' says Christopher. 'And, thankfully, they're very easy to grow, even for total beginners.'

Plant yours between November and March, making sure the soil isn't frozen, for an abundance of juicy fruits next year.

Where to buy raspberry plants:

• Crocus: A wide selection of raspberry plants
• Thompson & Morgan: Another generous offering of raspberry plants

7. Onions and leeks

Planting onions and leeks in your vegetable garden this November is another great way to get an early harvest next year.

'Onion and leek seeds are traditionally planted on Boxing Day for the earliest crops and largest prize-winning specimens,' explains Morris.

'Start them off in pots or multi cell trays in the greenhouse, planting 2-3 seeds in each and thinning them out to leave the strongest plant as they develop. Plant them outside in well prepared soil in spring.'

Where to buy onion and leek seeds:

• Thompson & Morgan: A wide variety of onion seeds and leek seeds
• Crocus: A range of onion seeds and sets and leek seeds
• Amazon: A selection of winter onion sets and leek seeds

8. Garlic

Garlic, particularly elephant garlic, is considered to be among the best fruit and vegetables to sow in November.

'Tis the season to plant garlic sets,' says Christopher. 'Grown from cloves, they actually prefer a cold snap or two to get them settled, so it's always a good idea to plant these in late autumn or even early winter – especially as they're a low-fuss, low-maintenance kind of plant!'

Where to buy garlic seeds:

• Thompson & Morgan: 'Autumn Lovers' collection of garlic sets
• Suttons: Garlic 'Solent Wight' for autumn planting

9. Rhubarb plants

Rhubarb is synonymous with summer, but Morris assures us that rhubarb plants can be bought in November and December as crowns (pieces of root with a bud at the top).

'This is a great time to plant them, and they should establish and grow well next spring,' he says. 'However, it's best not to harvest any in the first year and just allow them to become well established.'

Where to buy rhubarb crowns:

• Thompson & Morgan: Rhubarb 'Goliath' is an excellent choice
• Crocus: A vibrant selection of rhubarb crowns

FAQs

Is November too late to plant a garden?

Not at all! As the list above demonstrates, there are plenty of fruit and vegetables to plant in November for a garden flourishing with harvests next year.

And it doesn't end with fruit and veg – lots of other plants can be planted in November, whether you're wondering when to plant bulbs for spring or looking for winter flowers that bloom at Christmas.

Is November good for planting?

While it's chillier, and there is always that risk of an early frost, November is considered a great time for planting out hardy vegetables and bare root fruit trees, as it is usually drier than late October.

Just make sure the ground isn't too soggy or frozen over when you get to work.

Hopefully, this bumper list of the best fruit and vegetables to plant in November has inspired you to fill your vegetable patch (or garden borders) with edimentals.

As ever, it's hard work now, but it'll pay off next year when you can tuck into your very own crop of delicious goodies...