"November's rain, from every stormy cloud, descends"

What to Sow and Plant in November

The clocks have gone back, the days are getting shorter and the weather is turning colder, windier and wetter. It can feel as though the garden is winding down for winter, but I don't think November means putting everything away until spring.

There are still seeds worth sowing, bulbs to plant and opportunities to keep growing, particularly if we make use of sheltered spaces, greenhouses and windowsills.

I'm not going to pretend that November is the busiest month for gardening. Seedlings grow more slowly in the lower light, and cold, wet soil can make outdoor sowing difficult. But with a little planning, there's still plenty we can do.

What vegetables can I sow in November?

Broad beans are worth considering now. I’ve sown ‘The Sutton’ a dwarfing type in my raised bed. Hardy varieties such as 'Aquadulce Claudia' can be sown outdoors in milder areas where the soil drains well. In colder or wetter gardens, sowing in pots and keeping them somewhere sheltered may be a better option. You can always wait until late winter or spring if conditions aren't suitable.

Winter salads can keep the harvest going, too. Corn salad, hardy winter lettuce and suitable salad leaves can be grown under cover, although growth will be slower as light levels fall. Admittedly I sowed mine last month in the other raised bed but they are growing well. I have some horticultural fleece to protect them should it turn frosty.

If you don't have a greenhouse, there's no need to miss out. Cress, microgreens and pea shoots are ideal for growing indoors in small containers. A bright windowsill can provide fresh leaves for salads and sandwiches, and they're an easy way to keep growing when it's too cold to spend much time outside.

 Flowers to sow now

If you enjoy growing flowers from seed, sweet peas are worth considering. Sow them individually in pots or root trainers and keep them somewhere bright, cool and protected from severe frost. Autumn-sown plants can establish roots before spring, potentially giving you an earlier display next summer.

November is also a good time to think ahead to next year's flower garden. Some hardy annuals can be autumn-sown, such as nigella, cornflowers, calendula but check the requirements of individual varieties. If you've missed the best sowing window, there's no need to rush, spring will bring plenty of opportunities.

Plant bulbs for spring

November is an excellent time to plant tulips, whether in garden borders or containers. I particularly like the idea of planting up a few now and looking forward to a welcome splash of colour when spring arrives.

Choose firm, healthy bulbs and plant them in free-draining soil or compost, at a depth of around two to three times the bulb's height. Containers are ideal for patios, balconies and doorsteps, but make sure excess water can drain away. I stand my containers on pot feet, lifting them up ensures the pots are free draining and not waterlogged.

(If you still have daffodils or crocuses waiting to be planted, it's worth getting healthy bulbs into the ground as soon as conditions allow, although they are generally best planted earlier in autumn.)

Bring some flowers indoors

Gardening doesn't have to stop at the back door. Paperwhite narcissi, prepared hyacinths and amaryllis can all bring flowers indoors during the darker months.

Paperwhites are a good choice for a bright indoor display, while prepared hyacinths need a cool, dark period to get rooted before being brought into the light. Amaryllis bulbs provide dramatic flowers and make a lovely winter growing project.

Check the instructions when buying bulbs, particularly if you're hoping for flowers at Christmas, as flowering times vary.

A few other things to plant

November is also a useful month for planting garlic, provided the soil is free draining. I’ve planted some in amongst my winter salad leaves.  In heavy or waterlogged ground, you may have better results starting cloves in modules undercover and planting them out later.

Suitable overwintering onion sets and shallots may also be planted, depending on the variety and your local conditions. Always check the packet instructions rather than assuming every variety is suitable for autumn planting.

A few things to remember

• Watch the weather. Avoid sowing or planting into waterlogged soil.
• Choose hardy varieties. Look for seeds and planting material suited to autumn or overwintering.
• Make use of sheltered spaces. A cold frame, unheated greenhouse or bright windowsill can extend your growing opportunities.
• Don't overwater. Cold, wet compost can encourage seeds and young plants to rot.
• Be patient. Growth will be slower than in spring, and some seeds are better saved for later.

As I spend less time in the garden, I’m thinking about choosing the right things for the prevailing conditions. A sunnier morning spent planting up a container with tulips for spring or a pot of pea shoots on the windowsill reminds me nature doesn't stop.