By November, cold-winter zones are past the point of new planting; first frost typically lands in mid-October, and by now most gardens have already felt it. This month is for protecting what is still productive, bringing in the last of the harvest, and getting the garden ready for winter.

Indoors (fresh harvests):

• Microgreens: peas, broccoli, sunflowers, arugula
• Sprouts: alfalfa, broccoli, radish, mung
• Herbs and greens under lights: chives, parsley, mint

Protecting what's in the ground: Kale, Swiss chard, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other established brassicas can keep producing for weeks past that first frost under a row cover or cold frame. Once nights are reliably dropping into the teens and 20s, bring in the last harvest and clear the beds for winter.

Dormant sowing: With nothing left to sow for this year's harvest, November is a good time to try dormant sowing – broadcasting cold-hardy flower seed onto the soil once it is consistently cold (below about 50 F) but not yet frozen solid, so it overwinters naturally and germinates on its own in spring. Good candidates include wildflower mixes, California poppy, larkspur, bachelor's buttons, calendula, rudbeckia, and columbine. Loosen the soil lightly, scatter the seed, rake or press it in for good soil contact, and water — or simply time it just ahead of rain or snow.

Tip: An upstate New York zone 6 can be very different from a Santa Fe, New Mexico zone 6. Consider checking with your state Extension Service office for more specific recommendations and guidelines.

Use your USDA zone as a guide. Microclimates matter; coastal/urban spots run warmer; high-elevation spots run colder.