What to Plant for a Fall Garden in Alabama
Fall is one of Alabama’s best gardening seasons.
Cooler temperatures improve working conditions and favor many leafy and root crops.
The trick is starting earlier than most beginners expect.
Broccoli
Best from transplants.
Start early enough that heads mature in cool weather.
Cabbage
Excellent for fall.
Choose regionally adapted varieties.
Collards
One of the most dependable Southern fall crops.
Flavor often improves after cool weather.
Kale
Tolerates cold well and can produce for months.
Lettuce
Direct sow or transplant once temperatures begin moderating.
Succession plant for a longer harvest.
Carrots
Direct sow in late summer or early fall.
Keep the seedbed consistently moist.
Radishes
Fast and easy.
Plant repeatedly every 1–2 weeks.
Turnips
Grow for:
- Roots
- Greens
or both.
Mustard Greens
Quick-growing and well suited to Southern fall weather.
Spinach
Wait for cooler conditions.
Hot soil can reduce germination.
Beets
Grow well in cool weather.
Thin seedlings properly for good root development.
Garlic
Plant in fall for harvest the following year.
Timing by Region
North Alabama
Start fall crops earlier.
Central Alabama
Use standard statewide dates as a baseline.
South Alabama
Planting can often continue later into fall.
Summer Heat Challenge
August planting can be difficult.
Use:
- Shade cloth
- Frequent light irrigation
- Seed-starting trays
- Evening transplanting
GardenGrowz Tip
The biggest fall-garden mistake is waiting until fall weather arrives to start planting.