November in Texas brings cooler temperatures and the perfect opportunity to get your garden ready for spring. Planting seeds now gives them time to establish strong roots before the warm weather returns.
With the right choices, you can enjoy a colorful and productive garden when spring arrives. Get your gardening gloves ready for these fantastic planting options!
1. Snapdragons
Snapdragons love the cool weather that November brings to Texas gardens. Their unique dragon-shaped blooms come in nearly every color imaginable, from soft pastels to bold reds and oranges.
Plant seeds directly in well-draining soil and watch them germinate within two weeks. They develop strong root systems during winter months, preparing for spectacular spring displays.
Kids especially love squeezing the flower sides to make the dragon mouths open and close!
2. Sweet Peas
Sweet peas bring incredible fragrance and old-fashioned charm to any Texas garden. November planting allows these climbing vines to establish before spring blooming begins in earnest.
Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed up germination. Provide a trellis or fence for support as they grow several feet tall.
Their perfume-like scent makes them perfect for cutting gardens. Bonus: the more you cut them, the more flowers they produce throughout the season!
3. Larkspur
Larkspur creates stunning vertical interest with tall spikes covered in delicate blooms. These Texas natives thrive when planted in November, requiring the cold period to germinate properly.
Scatter seeds where you want them to grow since they dislike transplanting. They prefer full sun and tolerate Texas heat surprisingly well once established.
Butterflies and hummingbirds flock to their nectar-rich flowers. Available in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white for gorgeous spring color combinations.
4. Poppies
Poppies produce papery blooms that dance in spring breezes like colorful butterflies. November sowing in Texas ensures these seeds experience the cold stratification they need for germination.
California poppies work especially well, tolerating drought and poor soil conditions. Simply scatter seeds on prepared soil and lightly press them down without covering.
Their cheerful orange, red, yellow, and pink flowers self-seed easily, returning year after year. Deer typically avoid them, making them perfect for rural gardens.
5. Bachelor Buttons
Bachelor buttons, also called cornflowers, bring cottage garden charm with minimal effort required. Their bright blue blooms stand out beautifully against other spring flowers, though pink and white varieties exist too.
Direct sow seeds in November for earliest blooms when warm weather arrives. They tolerate poor soil and drought conditions remarkably well once roots establish.
Cut flowers last over a week in vases. These hardy annuals also attract beneficial insects that help control garden pests naturally.
6. Calendula
Calendula offers both beauty and practicality with edible petals and medicinal properties. November planting gives these cheerful flowers time to develop strong plants before spring flowering begins.
Their daisy-like blooms in shades of orange and yellow brighten any garden bed. They prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade in hotter Texas regions.
Harvest petals for salads, teas, or homemade skin care products. Calendula also repels certain garden pests while attracting helpful pollinators throughout the growing season.
7. Lettuce
Lettuce thrives in Texas when planted during November, avoiding the scorching summer heat that causes bolting. Cool-season growth produces tender, flavorful leaves perfect for fresh salads.
Choose from butterhead, romaine, or loose-leaf varieties depending on your preferences. Plant seeds every two weeks for continuous harvests throughout winter and spring.
Harvest outer leaves while allowing centers to keep producing. Most varieties mature within 45-60 days, providing quick rewards for patient November gardeners.
8. Spinach
Spinach becomes sweeter and more tender when grown in cooler temperatures, making November ideal for Texas planting. Cold weather actually improves flavor by converting starches into sugars.
Plant seeds one inch apart in rows, thinning seedlings as they grow. Spinach tolerates light frosts and continues producing throughout winter months.
Rich in iron and vitamins, homegrown spinach tastes remarkably better than store-bought versions. Pick leaves regularly to encourage new growth and extend your harvest season significantly.
9. Radishes
Radishes rank among the fastest-growing vegetables, perfect for impatient gardeners or teaching kids about growing food. November planting in Texas means crisp, spicy roots ready within just three to four weeks.
Sow seeds directly into loose, well-draining soil about half an inch deep. They prefer consistent moisture for best flavor and texture.
Harvest promptly when roots reach proper size to avoid woody, bitter flavors. Try different varieties like French breakfast or watermelon radishes for exciting color and taste variations.
10. Carrots
Carrots develop sweetest flavors when grown in cool weather, making November perfect for Texas sowing. Sandy, loose soil works best, allowing roots to grow straight and long without obstacles.
Tiny seeds need consistent moisture to germinate, which takes 10-14 days. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they reach two inches tall.
Most varieties mature in 60-80 days, providing fresh spring harvests. Rainbow carrot mixes add fun colors like purple, yellow, and white to your garden and dinner plate!
11. Peas
Garden peas produce best when temperatures stay cool, making November sowing essential for Texas success. Both shelling and snap pea varieties work wonderfully when planted during this window.
Install trellises or supports before planting since vines need something to climb. Seeds germinate quickly in cool soil, establishing strong plants through winter.
Fresh peas taste incredibly sweet straight from the pod, nothing like frozen versions. Harvest regularly to keep plants producing more pods throughout the entire spring season ahead.