Masterclass: November Planting — Bay Area (Sunset + USDA)

November flips the Bay Area into true cool-season mode: short days, the first meaningful rains, and soils that swing between soaked and dry. Success now is about timing + protection. We use Sunset zones (14–17 for most Bay Area microclimates) alongside USDA zones (9–10) so you can decide what to do this week in a foggy coastal garden vs. a warmer inland pocket. Sunset zones account for summer highs, wind, marine layers, and length of season — nuances USDA hardiness alone can’t capture (Sunset climate zones).

Local Master Gardener guidance is clear: many October tasks can continue into November, but earlier is better so roots establish before persistent cold and wet. Keep beds covered (mulch or living plants), avoid compacting saturated soil, and aim for steady airflow to reduce disease pressure.

Inside this Masterclass you’ll get a Sunset+USDA matrix for what to plant and protect now, a week-by-week checklist with “rain-day alternates,” a soil + water + protection block for storm season, pest windows right after first rains (what to expect, what to do), and a short list of heirloom varieties that shine in cool months. We keep the voice local and the steps practical — so you can tuck in garlic, keep salads coming, and protect young brassicas when storms roll through.

“GrowBot did some digging… November success = cover soil, vent row cover after rain, and keep your feet off saturated beds — boards save roots and your soil structure.”

Sunset + USDA microclimate matrix (what to do now)

• Sunset 17 (fog belt; USDA ~10): Direct-sow salads; transplant kale/chard; plant garlic mid–late Nov in well-drained beds. Expect slugs/snails after the first rains — use traps/hand-picking or iron-phosphate baits.

• Sunset 16 (coastal thermal belts; USDA 9–10): Sow greens throughout the month; transplant brassicas early; set low tunnels ahead of windy storms; mulch 2–3”.

• Sunset 14–15 (inland with marine influence; USDA 9): Sow greens early month; transplant cool-season crops; plant garlic early–mid Nov; avoid compacting wet beds — use boards or wait a day to dry.

• Frosty pockets (any zone): Keep row cover handy for cold snaps; vent after rain to dry foliage and reduce downy mildew risk.

Soil, water, and protection for storm season (how to)

• Soil: Top-dress 1–2” compost, then 2–3” mulch; keep soil covered between crops.

• Compaction: Don’t walk on saturated beds; use boards to spread weight.

• Water: After storms, skip irrigation until top 2–3” dry; then water in mornings only.

• Row cover: 0.5–0.9 oz frost cloth over hoops; clip tight before wind; vent after rain so leaves dry.

Weekly checklist (sample plan)

• Week 1: Clear beds; add compost + mulch; pre-irrigate if dry; set hoops.

• Week 2: Plant garlic—cloves 4–6” apart, 1–2” deep, tip up.

• Week 3: Sow salads; transplant kale/chard; anchor row cover ahead of storms; thin greens after emergence.

• Week 4: First baby harvests; check for slugs/snails nightly; vent covers to reduce mildew risk.

Pest windows & quick actions (after first rains)

• Slugs & snails: Hand-pick at dusk, set simple traps, reduce hiding spots, use iron-phosphate baits as needed.

• Downy mildew on leafy greens: Highest risk when foliage stays wet + cool; water mornings, improve airflow/spacing, vent row cover after storms.

• Aphids after warm breaks: Blast with water; encourage beneficials; spot-treat if needed.

Heirloom Varieties for the Bay Area (cool-season picks)

• Spinach ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing’ — reliable fall/winter baby leaves.

• Broccoli ‘Di Cicco’ — early main head + steady side shoots.

• Lettuce ‘Forellenschluss’ — speckled romaine-type; handles chilly mornings.

Sources & Further Reading:

• UC IPM — Snails & Slugs Pest Notes

• UC IPM — Downy Mildew

• Sunset Climate Zones explainer

• Growing Guide: November — Bay Area

• Premium Downloads