Sweet Peas
Sow in deep pots only if you can overwinter seedlings cool, bright and protected.
What Seeds to Sow in November in Northern Europe (Cool Summer Climates)
What to Sow This Month · November
What to Sow in November in Northern Europe
Short days · cold soil · sheltered growing · plan for spring
November is more about careful preparation than rapid growth. For most northern European gardens, open-ground seed sowing has largely finished. If you have an unheated greenhouse, cold frame or bright sheltered area, a few flowers and leafy crops can still be started. Winter can also provide the cold period needed by certain perennial seeds.
The advice below covers a wide range of climates: coastal Britain and Ireland are very different from Scandinavia, the Baltics and colder inland Europe. Always prioritize soil temperature, drainage, frost risk and available light.
Shop Seeds for November SowingStart Here
Choose the Right November Sowing Strategy
Match your growing conditions to one of these approaches before opening a seed packet.
Mild Coastal Garden
Unfrozen, free-draining soil
In exceptional mild spells, experiment with a few hardy annuals. These are late, higher-risk sowings—not a reliable general November recommendation.
Outdoor options →Cold / Wet / Exposed
Outdoor sowing is on hold
Avoid direct sowing into cold or saturated soil. Set aside spring-sowing seed and prepare sheltered growing space.
Protected options →Cold Frame / Greenhouse
Protected, bright conditions
Try sweet peas in deep pots and limited batches of cold-tolerant leafy vegetables; expect slow growth.
Winter leaves →Long-Term Project
Let winter provide chilling
Selected perennial seeds can spend winter in labelled, well-drained pots and germinate later.
Cold-period sowings →The Practical Shortlist
Fontana's Best November Options
Prioritize these rather than treating November like September or October.
Spinach Renegade
A late protected sowing for overwintering or early-spring leaves, not quick winter harvests.
Asian Mesclun
For small baby leaves in a suitable bright greenhouse; growth can stall in dark cold periods.
Eryngium Blue Hobbit
A winter-chilling project with variable germination, not an immediate crop.
Organic Lavender
A patient perennial sowing; follow packet instructions for any cold pretreatment.
Verbena Bonariensis
An optional cold-period sowing for patient growers; protect pots from excess winter wet.
Outdoors · Mild Gardens Only
Are Any Flowers Worth Sowing Outside in November?
Generally, wait for spring. Hardy annuals are normally autumn-sown while soil remains reasonably warm, usually September or October. November attempts are only for mild, sheltered places with free-draining soil, and establishment may be poor.
Mild regions / experimental
Calendula
An optional experiment in unusually mild coastal gardens; otherwise save seed for spring.
Mild regions / experimental
Cornflowers
Early autumn is more dependable. Late direct sowing may fail to establish before winter.
Mild regions / experimental
Nigella Miss Jekyll Skyblue
Direct sow where it will flower only if soil is still suitable; avoid waterlogged sites.
Mild regions / experimental
Annual Poppies
Direct sow rather than transplant, but November is late for most northern gardens.
For colder northern and continental gardens: Leave direct flower sowing until spring. Do not describe November as an equally reliable alternative to September or October.
Cold Frame · Unheated Greenhouse
Flowers to Sow Under Protection
A sheltered, well-ventilated structure may support a small number of November sowings. Bright light matters as much as protection from frost.
Best protected flower
Sweet Peas
Sow in deep pots or root trainers. Keep seedlings cool and as bright as possible, with protection from hard freezes and saturated compost. In very cold or low-light locations, spring sowing may give more reliable results.
Sow inDeep pots / root trainers
KeepCool, bright and ventilated
ProtectFrom prolonged freezing and wet
AlternativeSpring sowing
Snapdragons
An optional early-start project only where you have suitable controlled light and frost protection. For most beginners, starting nearer spring is easier.
Pansies
Suitable for cool conditions but very slow to establish in November darkness. Start indoors with adequate light, or wait for a brighter sowing window.
A Winter Project
Perennial Seeds to Sow for a Cold Period
These seeds are not expected to produce usable seedlings immediately. Sow according to the variety's germination instructions, label pots and keep them protected from saturation and disturbance.
Eryngium Blue Hobbit
May benefit from cold, moist stratification. Germination can be irregular.
Lavender
Some lavender seed lots benefit from chilling; check the variety instructions and avoid waterlogged compost.
Verbena Bonariensis
Germination can be variable; winter temperature changes may aid some sowings.
Oriental Poppy Brilliant
A patient perennial project: cold conditions and good drainage matter more than speed.
Cold stratification is not the same as leaving every seed outdoors. Some varieties have specific light, temperature or chilling requirements. Follow their product instructions, and protect pots from excessive rain and pests.
Under Cover · Slow Winter Growth
Winter Salads & Edible November Sowing
November brings very little natural growth in northern Europe. These crops are possibilities for sheltered greenhouses, cold frames or sufficiently bright indoor growing areas—not promises of fast winter harvests. Established autumn crops generally perform better than new November sowings.
| Product | Where to sow | What to expect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Spinach Renegade | Cold frame or unheated greenhouse | Overwintering / spring leaves | Best choice |
| Organic Mesclun Asian Mix | Bright greenhouse or indoor setup | Young leaves if conditions permit | Protected only |
| Organic Mesclun Salad Leaves | Bright greenhouse or indoor setup | Slow baby-leaf growth | Protected only |
| Organic Rocket Esmee | Bright protected location | Limited young-leaf harvest | Conditional |
| Organic Lettuce Oakleaf 'Salad Bowl' | Greenhouse / indoors with light | Young leaves, not rapid full heads | Conditional |
| Organic Pak Choi 'Taisai' | Under cover | Small leaves, slow growth | Conditional |
| Organic Chard Fireworks | Under cover | Baby leaves, slow establishment | Conditional |
| Organic Parsley Italian Giant | Indoor pots / bright greenhouse | Slow germination; future harvest | Conditional |
| Organic Radish Cherry Belle | Bright protected bed | Slow roots; spring is more reliable | Not a priority |
Better than sowing more: If you already have spinach, salad leaves or kale established from September or October, protect and harvest those first. Low light is often the main limitation in November.
Know When to Stop
What Changes Through November?
Early November
Only suitable sheltered starts
Use workable, well-drained growing media and sufficient light. Consider protected sweet peas and small leafy sowings.
Mid-November
Prioritize overwintering
Check drainage, reduce watering and protect existing autumn plants; expect slower germination.
Late November
Plan rather than push
Cold-period perennial sowings remain an option, but most outdoor sowing should wait for late winter or spring.
Practical Growing Advice
Five November Growing Tips
1. Light firstA warm windowsill without adequate light may produce weak seedlings.
2. Keep compost drainingWinter saturation and poor airflow often harm seedlings.
3. Don't overwaterCheck moisture before watering; cold pots dry slowly.
4. Guard against pestsProtect sweet pea seed from mice and sheltered seedlings from slugs.
5. Save seed for springNovember sowing is experimental in many northern gardens.
Northern Europe in November
Sow Less. Protect More. Plan Ahead.
Focus on protected sweet peas, a few slow-growing salad leaves and patient cold-period perennial projects. In cold, dark or waterlogged locations, delaying sowing until spring is usually the sounder choice.