I know that envy is considered one of the “7 deadly sins” but I can’t help but be jealous of those who live in places like Southern California or Florida right now. While I’m working at putting my garden to bed for the winter gardeners in locations such as these have a much different and much more fun “to do” list than many of us. November is a month that really brings out the regional variations that can be found in gardens around the country so for those of you living in USDA Zones 8 to 11 this article is for you!
The first major advantage that gardeners living in these zones have is that they can keep planting! Many places in these zones see a minimal amount of frost forget temperatures that freeze the ground solid so while the rest of us are done getting our fingernails dirty you can plant on! This is a good time of year to plant roses as well as dividing your perennials. If you are interested in a wildflower garden this is the time to get it started. You can also plant bulbs that don’t require a cold period such as amaryllis (Mine won’t even get leaves until February forget being able to grow it outdoors!), calla lilies and freesia.
Another advantage for gardeners living in these zones is they can continue to grow their own fresh produce virtually all year round. Now is the time to turn your garden over to cooler weather vegetables and believe me there are no shortage of candidates to consider. Root vegetables such as carrots and beets are obvious choices but how about growing bush beans; in November! You can also grow lettuce or if you want to try something a little different and you enjoy Asian food how about bok choy? Kale has become an increasingly popular vegetable due to its versatility, you can even turn it into a baked chip, and peas and spinach are mainstays of any cool weather vegetable garden. The great thing is that even if temperatures get a little colder than normal these vegetables can handle that and if you’re concerned at all about the cold snap you can just cover them up with some cloth or newspaper.
Finally, if all of this isn’t enough reason for jealousy, gardeners in these zones can replace their summer annuals with other flowers that are comfortable with and perform their best in cooler weather. Pansies are always a popular choice as they are in Northern gardens but how about growing petunias and snapdragons! Nasturtiums and calendula, also known as “pot marigold” are also great choices for cooler weather flowers and what I wouldn’t give for a little bit of color in my garden right now! That’s it! I am officially jealous so if you live in these zones please take advantage of your opportunities. I know the rest of us would love too!
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