November · USDA Zone 6
autumnWhat to plant in November in USDA zone 6
Autumn planting guide for zone 6 (Southern Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, parts of mid-Atlantic) — a 180-day growing season with last frost around mid- to late April and first frost around mid- to late October.
Sow outdoors in November — zone 6
Direct-sow these seeds into prepared garden beds or large containers. Soil temperature matters more than the calendar date — wait for a sustained warm-up before sowing tender crops.
Harvest in November — zone 6
These crops should be ready or in active harvest in November for zone 6 gardens. Pick fruiting crops every 2-3 days to keep production going.
- Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, parsnips, last carrots, beets
Maintenance in November — zone 6
- Mulch perennials, cover beds with leaves
Prep and planning — zone 6
- Drain irrigation, store tools, plan next year
Universal November tasks
These apply across most US and UK gardens in November, regardless of zone.
- Mulch garlic, asparagus, strawberries, and perennials with 10-15 cm of straw or leaves.
- Plant garlic and shallots in zones 7-9 (last chance in most zones).
- Clean, sharpen, and oil tools before storing for winter.
- Empty hoses, drain rain barrels and irrigation lines before hard freeze.
- Cover empty beds with cover crops, mulch, or tarps.
- Order seeds and plan next year while the season is fresh in memory.
Why this works for zone 6
Zone 6 has average annual minimum temperatures of -10 to 0°F (-23 to -18°C) and a frost-free window from mid- to late April to mid- to late October — about 180 growing days. Two-season growing — cool-season crops in spring/fall, warm-season in summer. Heirloom tomato varieties work well here.
Dates are zone-wide averages. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, lakeside warmth, elevation) can shift the window by 1-2 weeks within the same zone.
UK gardeners — November
November in the UK is for finishing garlic planting, sowing overwintering broad beans, and protecting tender plants. Harvest brussels sprouts, leeks, parsnips, kale, and main-crop apples. Mulch asparagus crowns and strawberry beds.
Source and methodology
Frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online within USDA zone 6. Hardiness boundaries from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). Crop timing curated against US Cooperative Extension Service publications (UNL, UMN, NC State, Texas A&M, UF/IFAS, Oregon State) and cross-referenced against the RHS sowing calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.
Keep going
- ← October in zone 6
- December in zone 6 →
- All zones — what to plant in November
- USDA Zone 6 — frost dates and crop list
- Full 12-month planting calendar