What to plant in November in Maryland
In Maryland (MD), the average first fall frost (October 20) has passed by mid-November. The state averages 189 frost-free days a year (last frost April 14, first frost October 20; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic - and 2 of those windows close during November.
Dates here come from Maryland frost dates (last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Maryland.
Maryland covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Maryland: planting activity through the year
Last chance in November
Shallot (plant in fall (after first frost), by Nov 10) · Garlic (plant in fall (after first frost), by Nov 17)
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Maryland's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
Harvesting in November
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Maryland
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Maryland: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in November in Maryland
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.
After the first frost: November garden jobs in Maryland
- The average first frost (October 20) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
- Plant garlic now (Oct 31 – Nov 17): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
- Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
- Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.
USDA zone chart for Maryland
Maryland spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Maryland in November?
2 crops have a window in November: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Maryland in November?
No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 31 – Nov 17 in Maryland, so do it before November 17.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Maryland in November?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Maryland have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 17.
When is the first frost in Maryland?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 14. Maryland covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Maryland in November?
From plantings made on time: cabbage, brussels sprouts, napa cabbage, fennel (bulb), cilantro / coriander, radicchio, collard greens, beet, turnip, chervil.
What to plant in November in other states
Dates are computed from Maryland’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.