When to plant in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA hardiness zones 7b-9a. Average last spring frost: mid March. Average first fall frost: mid November. This calendar is anchored to Alabama Cooperative Extension System's recommendations, with timing adjusted for the dominant climate zone of the state.
Alabama at a glance
| USDA hardiness zones | 7b-9a |
| Region | Southeast |
| Average last spring frost | mid March |
| Average first fall frost | mid November |
| Primary Extension service | Alabama Cooperative Extension System |
What grows particularly well in Alabama
These are the crops, ornamentals, and trees Alabama Cooperative Extension System highlights as well-suited to Alabama's climate:
- southern peas
- okra
- sweet potatoes
- collards
- muscadine grape
- crepe myrtle
- azalea
Alabama planting calendar
Dates are approximate and based on the dominant USDA zone for the state. For zone-specific timing, use the zone finder by ZIP code and frost date lookup tools.
Spring planting (after last frost: mid March)
Cool-season vegetables (start 2-6 weeks before last frost outdoors): lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, kale, broccoli transplants, cabbage transplants.
Warm-season vegetables (after last frost, soil 60F+): tomato transplants, pepper transplants, beans (direct sow), cucumbers, squash, melons. See the seed starting timeline tool for indoor start dates.
Annual flowers (after last frost): zinnia, marigold, cosmos, sunflower, nasturtium.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Plant in spring after soil thaws but before summer heat. Best window in Alabama: 4-6 weeks after last frost.
Summer (June - August)
Maintenance season for most Alabama gardens. Mulch heavily, water deeply (1 inch per week), pinch back mums for fall bloom, hand-pull weeds, harvest summer vegetables. Plant fall vegetable starts indoors by mid-July.
Fall planting (before first frost: mid November)
Cool-season vegetables (6-8 weeks before first frost): lettuce, spinach, radish, kale, broccoli, cabbage transplants. Per Penn State Extension, fall vegetable production can equal or exceed spring production with proper timing.
Spring-flowering bulbs: tulip, daffodil, allium, crocus, hyacinth. Plant 4-6 weeks before ground freezes. In Alabama: typically October-November.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Fall is the best planting season for woody plants in most of Alabama - cooler temperatures + autumn rains reduce transplant stress. Plant 6+ weeks before first hard freeze.
Garlic: Plant cloves in October-November. Harvest the following July.
Winter (December - February)
Most of Alabama is in dormancy. Tasks: order seeds, plan next year, dormant prune fruit trees (February), order bare-root plants for spring delivery. Avoid foot traffic on frozen lawns.
Common Alabama challenges
High humidity drives fungal disease; fire ants; nematodes in sandy soil; summer heat halts cool-season production by May. For region-specific guidance, see our Southeast regional gardening guide.
Where to get Alabama-specific advice
The most reliable source for local growing advice is your county Extension office. Alabama Cooperative Extension System has county offices that provide free soil testing, plant disease diagnosis, and growing recommendations specific to your microclimate.
Visit Alabama Cooperative Extension System for the office nearest you.
Related tools and guides
- Find your USDA zone by ZIP code
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seasonal care calendar by zone
- Seed starting timeline calculator
- Southeast regional gardening guide