Lowcountry Almanac: November
A time for gathering, giving thanks and savoring the glow
Story by Bailey Gilliam
November settles in with cool mornings and crisp nights. Dolphins cut through the creeks chasing the last mullet runs, while flocks of ducks and geese sweep overhead before pausing in ponds and waterways on their way south. In the woods deer grow restless at dusk, yaupon and holly brighten with red berries, and camellias begin to open against a backdrop of live oaks shedding their leaves. Festivals and fall gatherings crowd the calendar, giving the month a rhythm of gratitude and connection. Guided by the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac and Grow Great Vegetables South Carolina, consider this your field guide to making the most of it.
Weather Predictions
Late autumn settles in for good, and the shift is clear by mid-month. Cooler days and crisp evenings arrive, with a mix of sunny stretches and chilly rain.
Average temperature: 55 degrees (1 degree above average)
Rainfall: 2.5 inches (1/2 inch below average)
Forecast by week
Nov. 1-3: Sunny, warm
Nov. 4-10: Sunny, then rainy; cool
Nov. 11-20: Sunny, then rainy; chilly
Nov. 21-30: Sunny; chilly, then turning warm
Astronomical Events
The sky puts on a show this month, if you’re willing to bundle up.
Nov. 4-5: The Taurids meteor shower peaks, famous for bright, slow fireballs.
Nov. 5: A full super moon, the Beaver Moon, rises. The name comes from beavers busily preparing for winter.
Nov. 17-18: The Leonid meteor shower streaks across the sky, radiating from Leo.
Nov. 20: A new moon darkens the night, perfect for stargazing.
In the garden
The garden winds down, but there’s still plenty of green to keep you busy.
Prep: Make notes on what thrived and what struggled. Test your soil and spread lime if needed, set out row covers for frost, and work in compost before mulching empty beds.
Plant: Shorter days mean slower growth, but you can still sow hardy greens like collards, lettuce, kale, spinach, radish and arugula. Cover-crops such as rye, Austrian winter peas and wheat help feed the soil for next spring.
Harvest: November’s kitchen garden offers arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cilantro, chard, Chinese greens, collards, kale, leeks, lettuce, mustards, parsnips, scallions, spinach and turnips. Perfect for hearty soups and Thanksgiving sides.
Best days
The moon has a way of tugging at more than the tides. Let it guide your plans this month:
Go fishing: Nov. 1-5, 20-30
Make jam: Nov. 1, 28-29
Vote: Nov. 4
Bake bread: Nov. 12-13
Go camping: Nov. 20-22
Give thanks: Nov. 27
Tides & currents
Stay in tune with the coast’s natural rhythm. Scan this QR code for up-to-date tide and current predictions from NOAA.
