What to plant in November

Sow now

• Yacon (direct sow) Plant tuber/crown divisions ~40cm apart in prepared, compost-enriched soil after the last spring frost. This zone's early first autumn frost makes for a short, marginal growing season for this heat-loving South American crop - lift tubers as soon as frost hits, don't wait.
• Jerusalem Artichoke (direct sow) Plant tubers direct into soil once it warms past ~15-16C, after the last spring frost. Dig once frost kills the top growth - can be left in the ground and dug as needed right through winter; this zone's cold winters are actually a benefit here, improving tuber colour.
• Tomato ( / trays) Start indoors Aug-Nov, transplant after last frost. Crops through to first autumn frost.
• Basil (direct sow / trays) Frost-tender - start indoors, transplant after last frost. Pinch flowers to extend harvest.
• Capsicum ( / trays) Start indoors Aug-Nov (propagator or glasshouse recommended for germination), transplant after last frost. Crops through to first autumn frost.
• Eggplant ( / trays) Start indoors Aug-Nov, transplant after last frost. Needs a longer warm season than Capsicum/Tomato to fruit well. Crops through to first autumn frost.
• Feijoa (direct sow) Plant as potted nursery stock, not grown from seed. Spring planting used here for frost safety in cooler zones - Tui NZ also lists autumn as viable in frost-free areas. Fruit falls naturally when ripe, autumn to early winter.
• Courgette (direct sow / trays) Sow after last frost. Grow at least two plants for better pollination. Space 1m apart.
• Beetroot (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to 10cm apart. Frost-tolerant.
• Carrot (direct sow) Direct sow only - don't transplant. Keep soil moist until germination.
• Silverbeet (direct sow / trays) Hardy leafy green. Pick outer leaves for continuous harvest.
• Lime (direct sow) Plant as potted nursery stock, not grown from seed. Yates NZ recommends spring planting once soil has warmed for cold climates (used here) or autumn in warmer areas. Harvest window is for Tahitian/Bearss, the common NZ varieties - Key limes ripen earlier (around April), see Cultivar notes.
• Mizuna (direct sow) Direct sow. Quick-growing cut-and-come-again green - succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Egmont also lists a second Feb-Mar sowing not modelled here.
• Radish (direct sow) Direct sow, thin to avoid overcrowding. Very quick-growing - succession sow every 2 weeks.
• Pak Choy (direct sow) Direct sow. Cut-and-come-again Asian green, tolerant of an unusually wide sowing season. Can bolt in extended hot spells - part-shade in summer.
• Peas (direct sow) Direct sow. Fix nitrogen in soil.
• Broccoli ( / trays) Raise in trays, transplant at 4-6 weeks. Net against white butterfly. Egmont also lists a second Feb-May sowing not modelled here.
• Lettuce (direct sow / trays) Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Shade cloth in summer to prevent bolting.
• Coriander (direct sow) Sow in cooler months to prevent bolting. Succession sow. Egmont also lists a second Mar-Apr sowing not modelled here.
• Beans (Climbing) (direct sow) Direct sow after last frost risk has passed. Needs a support structure. ~90 days to harvest.
• Cucumber ( / trays) Start seeds in trays about a month before last frost. Plant out after last frost risk has passed. ~60-80 days to harvest from transplant.
• Pumpkin (direct sow) Direct sow once soil has warmed and frost risk has passed. Needs plenty of space to sprawl. ~100-160 days to harvest — a long-season crop.
• Spinach (direct sow / trays) Bolts in heat rather than being frost-sensitive. Succession sow for continuous harvest. ~50-70 days to harvest.

Transplant

• Tomato
• Basil
• Capsicum
• Eggplant
• Feijoa
• Lime
• Brussels Sprouts
• Mustard Greens
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Cucumber

Harvest

• Lemon
• Beetroot
• Silverbeet
• Orange
• Mizuna
• Radish
• Mustard Greens
• Pak Choy
• Turnip
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Coriander
• Spinach