Growing Guide: November — Bay Area (USDA Zones 9–10)

Why November matters

First rains, shorter days, and cooler nights flip beds to winter mode. November is still productive if you lean into cool‑season crops and keep soil covered. Locals note that most October tasks can be done in November; earlier is usually better so roots establish before heavy rains.

USDA note (Free posts use USDA only)

Most Bay Area gardeners are USDA 9–10. These numbers describe winter lows; they’re a baseline for cold tolerance, not daily weather.

What to plant now (USDA 9–10)

• Direct‑sow: arugula, spinach, lettuce, Asian greens; radish and turnip in milder pockets.

• Transplant: kale, chard, broccoli, cabbage (watch for saturated soils).

• Garlic: classic late‑fall plant—cloves 4–6 in apart, 1–2 in deep, tip up

Bed prep & care

• Pull spent crops; top‑dress 1–2” compost; re‑mulch 2–3”.

• Avoid working saturated soil; use boards to distribute weight.

• Water in mornings during dry spells to reduce mildew risk

Pest check (light)

• Slugs & snails rise after rains: hand‑pick at dusk; reduce hiding places; consider traps or iron‑phosphate baits (UC IPM snails/slugs).

Harvest cues

• Baby greens in 3–4 weeks

• Radishes 25–35 days

• Garlic harvest next summer

Sources & Further Reading

• Santa Clara MG — Garlic guide

• Masterclass: November Planting — Bay Area