What to Plant with Kids in November
It may seem like everything is dying back in the garden in November, but now is the time to get out there and start some things off for spring and summer with the kids as well as grow your own for winter. So here’s our list of things to grow with kids in November in the garden.
What to Sow and Grow in November
Our list is based on the fact that we live in the south east of the UK and some of these plants may not be suitable for growing in your area. Check your local zone and planting recommendations in addition to these so that you and your kids aren’t disappointed.
Whether you are growing flowers or vegetables November is the time to get ahead with some so that by the spring you have colour and your first crops to harvest together.
Vegetables to Sow in November
Starting off with the best vegetables to sow in November.
Winter Lettuce
Depending on your garden you can grow these under cloches (a plastic bottle half makes a great cloches for the kids to make), in the greenhouse or where the weather is much colder on your own windowsill.
The best varieties are ones like Winter Gem which will be ready to harvest in a few weeks and you can enjoy.
Of course you could grow any varieties on the window sill and eat them as small leaves perfect for adding to your soups and salads over the coming months.
Herbs
Herbs are great to grow with kids especially if you and they love to cook together. We grow lots of different varieties on our window sills.
From basil to parsley and dill. Some simple pots and care means that we have fresh seasoning for our dishes throughout the year.
Spring Onions
If you start of your spring onions in November then by spring you’ll have onions to grow.
We love putting them in a window box with some raddish and lettuce that we can grow indoors throughout the winter with kids and have a quick salad we can pick easily.
Broad Beans
Start broad beans off in the later autumn and winter either under glass in a cold frame, greenhouse or under cloches in the garden.
Sow once a fortnight so that through spring and summer you have a succession of them to pick and enjoy.
Want to know more about sowing and growing the broad beans then read our kids guide to growing and sowing broad beans.
Peas
If you want really early peas next year you and your kids can start to grow some together. Follow our simple guide to starting seeds in egg cartons and you can leave them under a plastic tub outside throughout the window so that when it warms up you can either plant in pots or into a raised vegetable bed with the kids.
Onion Seeds and Garlic
Some of our favourites to grow throughout the winter months are onion seeds and garlic. We love them to grow for our own dishes and they are very easy to do.
Plant the garlic cloves in either the soil in rows or why not in pots where space is limited. The frosts over the winter will do them good and help produce strong and early crops for you to enjoy.
Onion seeds grown this month will overwinter and be ready for you to plant on come the spring and will mature earlier than the bulbs you can plant in the garden in early spring.
Plant Growth Activity Pack ~ $5.00
Plant Cells & Photosynthesis ~ $5.00
Fruit to Grow in November with Kids
Although you won’t harvest the fruit now it’s great to get started and plant and grow some fruit for spring in November. We pick specific plants to grow that are easy, low maintenance and the kids will love to eat and cook with.
Rhubarb
One of our favourites is Rhubarb. Now is the time to plant some Rhubarb Crowns in the ground so that you can enjoy the stems come spring and summer.
Strawberry
It’s your last chance to sort out the strawberry runners and pot up any plants that may have grown from them. It’s easy to do and means that you will have fresh plants for next year if yours are a little tired.
Blueberries
Best planted in pots where you can control the acidity of the soil (they like to have slightly more acidic soil) blueberry plants can be bought in the garden centre and potted up. Depending on your variety you may need to have 2 or more plants!
What Flowers to Sow and Grow in November
It’s time to start to plant your garden for spring colour and early summer flowers. Here’s some of our favourites to start with the kids.
Sweet Peas
Sweet Peas are a traditional cottage flower and easy for kids to grow from seed (although they do take a while). Start them off in November for early flowers.
Don’t forget when you sow them you need to soak them overnight ahead of time to ensure success.
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Want to plant a rainbow for the spring? Then now is your last chance to plant spring flowering bulbs.
Tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths are all easy to grow from bulb and will have wonderful colours come next year.
Check out our planting a rainbow for ideas and a book recommendation to share with your younger kids.
Indoor Bulbs
Want some flowers all winter long? Then why not start some forced bulbs or indoor bulbs now and throughout the winter months.
Planted now narcissus and hyacinths that have been produced for indoor growing will appear in 6 to 12 weeks, keep up in the planting every other week and you will have displays throughout the winter and spring.
Check out these other ideas for Gardening with Kids this November
- Don’t forget the birds – why not make your own bird food this month with our easy suet ball recipe for kids.
- Save your pumpkin seeds and grow them next year with our guide to saving and growing your Halloween pumpkin seeds.
- Make a nest box and set it up so that when spring comes your great and blue tits will have somewhere safe to nest.
- Get creative and make some stone plant markers these are great to use in the spring in pots and in your vegetable bed.
Plan ahead with our guide to what to plant with Kids in December
Plan ahead and order your seeds if need be with our guide to what to sow and grow with kids in December.
