November Crop Calendar 2026 in Pakistan: What to Sow in Open Fields, Cold Areas & Tunnels

November Crop Calendar 2026 in Pakistan

November is an important month for winter farming in Pakistan. Farmers in Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad and other plains can grow several winter vegetables and Rabi crops. However, farmers in colder areas such as Murree and Naran face different growing conditions. Tunnel farmers also need a separate planting schedule.

Choosing the right crop is not only about the month. The local temperature, soil conditions, crop variety and planting stage all matter. A crop suitable for direct sowing in Lahore may need frost protection in Murree or may not be suitable for outdoor planting in Naran.

This November planting guide will help you decide:

• Which crops can be sown directly in November?
• Which vegetables need nursery preparation or seedling transplantation?
• Which crops should already have been planted in October?
• What can farmers grow in colder mountain areas?
• Which tunnel farming crops need attention in November?

Important: The planting recommendations below are general guidance, primarily for Punjab. Always confirm the variety-specific sowing window and local weather conditions before planting.

1. November Crops for Normal Winter Areas of Pakistan

In areas such as Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and similar parts of Punjab, November brings cooler weather suitable for Rabi farming. However, September and October are the preferred planting months for several winter vegetables. November planting should therefore be planned crop by crop.

Vegetables to Sow, Transplant or Maintain in November

Farmer Tip: Root vegetables such as radish, carrot and turnip are generally sown directly where they will grow. Transplanting them can disturb root development. Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are commonly established using nursery-raised seedlings.

Which Vegetables Should Farmers Prioritize in Early November?

For farmers who have not yet started planting, the first step is to check which crops still have an appropriate sowing window.

• Radish: Consider a variety specifically recommended for October–November planting.
• Peas: Prioritize early-November sowing where the selected variety is recommended.
• Onion: Prepare the nursery for varieties with a November nursery-sowing window.
• Leafy vegetables: Spinach, fenugreek and coriander may be options, but verify the variety rather than assuming all winter varieties can be planted late.
• Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli: If suitable nursery plants are ready, consider transplantation according to local conditions.

2. November Field Crops for Farmers in Punjab

November is especially important for Rabi field crops. Farmers planning larger areas should prioritize crops whose sowing windows match their district, irrigation availability and soil conditions.

Wheat Sowing in November

Wheat is one of the most important November crops in Punjab. The Punjab Agriculture Department lists specific sowing windows for different varieties, including:

• Swera 2024: 1–20 November.
• Falak 2024: 1–20 November.
• Arooj 2022: 1–20 November.
• Subhani 2021: 5–20 November.

These dates are variety-specific. Farmers should choose a recommended variety for their district and follow the latest local agriculture department advice. Seed quality, field preparation, irrigation and soil-based fertilizer planning also affect crop establishment.

3. November Farming in Very Cold Areas: Murree, Galiyat and Naran

Mountain farming requires a different approach from farming in the Punjab plains. A crop that germinates easily in Sargodha may struggle in a cold mountain location because of low soil temperatures, frost and shorter growing periods.

What Can Farmers Grow in Murree and Similar Cold Areas?

In relatively less-severe mountain locations, protected cultivation may allow limited winter vegetable production. However, farmers should not assume that all these crops can be freshly sown outdoors in November.

Cold-Area Farming Tips:

• Check the local frost forecast before sowing or transplanting.
• Use suitable protective covers for vulnerable seedlings.
• Avoid sowing into frozen or waterlogged soil.
• Inspect covered plants for excess moisture and poor ventilation.
• Follow local agricultural guidance because altitude and exposure can vary greatly, even within the same district.

Can Farmers Sow Vegetables in Naran During November?

Naran and upper Kaghan Valley experience much harsher winter conditions than the Punjab plains. Freezing nights, possible snowfall and cold soil make normal outdoor vegetable establishment unreliable during November.

For these severe-cold areas:

• Do not plan routine November open-field vegetable sowing without location-specific agricultural advice.
• Protect existing crops and farming equipment before severe winter weather.
• Consider controlled-environment production only where reliable heating and temperature management are available.
• Plan the main outdoor vegetable season around local spring and summer conditions.

Remember: An ordinary plastic tunnel is not the same as a heated greenhouse. Plastic cover can reduce exposure, but it does not guarantee protection from severe freezing conditions.

4. November Tunnel Farming Crops in Pakistan

Tunnel farming allows farmers to produce selected vegetables under protective structures. However, November is not the direct-sowing month for every tunnel crop. Some crops are transplanted during November, while others should already have been sown in October.

Tunnel Farming Crop Calendar for November

What Should Tunnel Farmers Focus on in November?

• Healthy transplantation: Transplant only healthy, appropriately developed seedlings.
• Temperature management: Monitor both daytime and nighttime tunnel conditions.
• Ventilation: Open or adjust ventilation when needed to prevent excessive heat and humidity.
• Irrigation: Maintain adequate root-zone moisture without waterlogging.
• Pest monitoring: Check regularly for whiteflies, aphids and other pests, especially in tomato and pepper crops.
• Crop support: Arrange suitable support and training systems for crops that require them.

Which Tunnel Crops Should Farmers Not Start in November?

Punjab Agriculture lists the second half of January as a low-tunnel sowing period for crops such as bitter gourd, sponge gourd, vegetable marrow and certain other gourds. Farmers should not automatically shift these schedules to November.

5. How to Choose the Right November Crop for Your Farm

Before purchasing seeds, answer these five questions:

• Where is your farm located? Plains, mountain areas and tunnel farms have different growing conditions.
• What is the local temperature? Check expected nighttime temperatures, frost risk and soil conditions.
• What planting stage is required? Direct seed sowing, nursery preparation and transplantation are different activities.
• Is the selected variety recommended for November? A crop's general growing season is not enough; its variety-specific schedule matters.
• What is your production goal? Consider household consumption, local market demand, irrigation, crop duration and available resources.

Simple Decision Guide

• If you farm in Lahore or Sargodha: Check November-compatible peas, radish, onion nursery and wheat first, then review other winter crops according to their variety-specific schedules.
• If you farm in Murree: Focus on established winter crops and consider protected sowing only when local conditions allow.
• If you farm in Naran: Avoid assuming outdoor November sowing is practical; plan around severe winter conditions.
• If you operate a tunnel in Punjab: Prioritize scheduled tomato and capsicum transplantation and management of cucumber or bottle gourd planted in October.

6. Common Mistakes Farmers Should Avoid in November

• Planting every winter vegetable in November without checking its sowing window.
• Using the same planting calendar for Lahore and Naran.
• Confusing direct seed sowing with nursery transplantation.
• Buying a variety without confirming its suitability for the local climate.
• Starting October-scheduled tunnel crops late without technical advice.
• Ignoring frost forecasts, poor drainage or excessive irrigation.
• Applying fertilizer without considering soil conditions and crop requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About November Crops in Pakistan

1. Which crops can farmers sow in November in Punjab?

Wheat is an important November field crop. Suitable pea and radish varieties may also be directly sown, while November is a nursery-sowing period for certain onion varieties. Other winter vegetables depend on the selected variety and local conditions.

2. Can I sow peas in November?

Yes. Punjab Agriculture lists late-season pea sowing from the last week of October to the first week of November for its H-57 variety. Other varieties may have different schedules.

3. Can onion seeds be sown in November?

Yes. The Phulkara onion variety has a nursery-sowing window from mid-October to November, followed by transplantation in December–January.

4. Is November a good month for wheat sowing?

Yes. November is a key wheat sowing month in Punjab, although the recommended dates differ between varieties and production areas.

5. Can farmers grow vegetables in Murree during November?

Some established winter vegetables may continue growing, and limited protected cultivation may be possible. However, fresh sowing depends on frost risk, soil temperature and the exact location.

6. Can farmers grow vegetables outdoors in Naran during November?

Normal outdoor sowing is generally not recommended in severe-cold locations such as Naran during November because freezing conditions can prevent reliable crop establishment.

7. Which tunnel crops are transplanted in November?

Tomato and capsicum are important examples under suitable tunnel production schedules. Cucumber and bottle gourd are generally direct-sown earlier, during the recommended October window.

8. Should farmers sow all winter vegetables directly?

No. Root vegetables such as radish and carrot are generally directly sown, while cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and many other vegetables are commonly established using nursery seedlings.

Get November Crop Selection Guidance from IR Farm

Choosing the right crop at the right time helps farmers avoid unnecessary seed costs, poor germination and delayed crop establishment. Before planting, consider your district, expected temperature, soil conditions, available irrigation and selected crop variety.

If you are unsure which crop or variety is suitable for your area, contact the IR Farm team for crop-specific guidance and help selecting suitable agricultural inputs.

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