It may appear as though everything is fading away in the garden during November, but this is the moment to step outside and initiate some activities for spring and summer with the children as well as cultivate your own for winter. So here’s our compilation of items to nurture with kids in November in the garden.
What You’ll Discover on This Page
What to Sow and Cultivate in November
Our selection is founded on the reality that we are located in the southeast of the UK, and some of these plants may not be ideal for cultivation in your region. Verify your local zone and planting guidelines in addition to these to ensure that you and your children aren’t let down.
Whether you are planting flowers or vegetables, November is the time to get started with some, so that by spring you have color and your initial crops to harvest together.
Vegetables to Sow in November
Let’s kick off with the finest vegetables to sow in November.
Winter Lettuce
Depending on your garden, these can be grown under cloches (a half plastic bottle makes an excellent cloche for the kids to create), in the greenhouse, or where it’s much chillier, on your windowsill.
The ideal varieties include ones like Winter Gem, which will be ready for harvesting in a few weeks and that you can relish.
Certainly, you could cultivate any varieties on the windowsill and consume them as small leaves, perfect for enhancing your soups and salads in the forthcoming months.
Herbs
Herbs are wonderful to cultivate with kids, particularly if you and they enjoy cooking together. We grow numerous different varieties on our windowsills.
From basil to parsley and dill. A few simple pots and care mean that we have fresh herbs for our meals throughout the year.
Spring Onions
If you begin your spring onions in November, then by spring you’ll have onions to grow.
We adore placing them in a window box alongside some radish and lettuce which we can cultivate indoors during the winter with children and have a quick salad that we can easily pick.
Broad Beans
Initiate broad beans in late autumn and winter, either under glass in a cold frame, greenhouse, or under cloches in the garden.
Sow every fortnight, so that through spring and summer you can enjoy a continual harvest of them.
Want to learn more about planting and growing broad beans? Then read our kids’ guide to cultivating and sowing broad beans..
Peas
If you wish for truly early peas next year, you and your kids can start growing some together. Follow our straightforward guide to beginning seeds in egg cartons, and you can leave them under a plastic tub outside throughout the winter so that when it warms up, you can either plant in pots or in a raised vegetable bed with the kids.
Onion Seeds and Garlic
Some of our favorites to cultivate during the winter months are onion seeds and garlic.
We adore them growing for our own meals, and they are extremely simple to cultivate.
Position the garlic cloves in either rows within the soil or in pots if you have limited space. The winter frosts will benefit them and assist in yielding robust and early crops for your enjoyment.
Onion seeds sown this month will survive the winter and be ready for planting in spring, maturing sooner than the bulbs you can place in the garden during early spring.
Plant Growth Activity Pack ~ $5.00
Plant Cells & Photosynthesis ~ $5.00
Fruits to Cultivate in November with Children
Even though you won’t gather the fruit at this moment, it’s an excellent time to initiate and cultivate some for spring in November. We select particular plants that are straightforward, low upkeep, and that the kids will enjoy eating and cooking with.
Rhubarb
One of our favorites is Rhubarb. Now is the ideal moment to place some Rhubarb Crowns in the earth so that you can relish the stems during spring and summer.
Strawberry
This is your final opportunity to organize the strawberry runners and pot up any plants that might have developed from them. It’s straightforward to accomplish and ensures you will have fresh plants for the upcoming year if yours are feeling a bit worn out.
Blueberries
Best grown in pots where you can manage the soil acidity (they prefer slightly more acidic conditions), blueberry plants can be acquired at the garden center and potted. Depending on the variety, you might need to have two or more plants!
Which Flowers to Sow and Grow in November
It’s time to begin planting your garden for spring vibrancy and early summer blooms. Here are some favorites to begin with the children.
Sweet Peas
Sweet Peas are a classic cottage flower and simple for kids to cultivate from seed (although they do require some time). Start them off in November for blooms in early spring.
Remember, when you sow them, it’s essential to soak them overnight beforehand to promote success.
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Want to cultivate a spectrum for the spring? Then this is your final chance to plant spring flowering bulbs.
Tulips, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths are all easy to cultivate from bulbs and will produce beautiful colors next year.
Discover our planting a rainbow for inspiration and book suggestions to share with your younger children.
Indoor Bulbs
Yearning for flowers throughout the winter? Then consider starting some forced bulbs or indoor bulbs now and maintain the growth during the winter months.
If planted now, narcissus and hyacinths intended for indoor cultivation will bloom in 6 to 12 weeks. Keep planting them every other week to ensure displays throughout winter and spring.
Explore these additional ideas for Gardening with Kids this November
Plan in Advance with our guide to what to plant with Kids in December
Prepare ahead and order your seeds if necessary with our guide on what to sow and cultivate with kids in December.
What to Plant in December with Kids