10 Exotic Fall Vegetables to Plant in Alabama Garden

Planting fall vegetables in Alabama is ideal, with temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees. Many cool-season crops thrive in these conditions. Try unique fall vegetables to enhance your culinary experiences and add nutrients.

Knowing the benefits of fall gardening and the importance of planting dates ensures a successful harvest. Keep reading to discover the best fall vegetables for your Alabama garden!

Table of Contents

Best Vegetables to Plant in Alabama Fall
Alabama Planting Zone
Alabama Vegetables Planting Calendar
Final Thoughts
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Best Vegetables to Plant in Alabama Fall

There are many fall vegetables to plant in Alabama. Some of them include carrots, broccoli, kale, and cabbage. However, those crops are typical to grow in Alabama. For that reason, we recommend trying exotic crops instead.

Although they are uncommon to feature in Alabama gardens, they belong to the easiest vegetables to grow. Check out the following list to explore more!

1. Bok Choy (Brassica Rapa subsp. Chinensis)

As one of the most exotic fall vegetables to plant in Alabama, Bok Choy favors cool temperatures, ranging between 45°F and 75°F. They perform best in organically rich, well-drained, moist soil with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5. Therefore, you must regularly water them around once or twice per week.

In addition, fertilization is necessary, especially during the veggies’ growth stage for every 4-6 weeks. To maintain their healthy growth, consider weeding and spacing. Also, picking only the outer layer lets the inner leaves continue growing.

2. Brussel Sprouts (Brassica Oleracea var. Gemmifera)

Suppose you are interested in growing Brussel Sprouts in an Alabama garden. In that case, you must prepare loam, rich, moist, well-drained soil with acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5. To achieve such conditions, water the crops 1 to 1.5 inches per square foot but avoid waterlogging.

Moreover, choose an area with full sun exposure and ensure cool temperatures of about 45°F to 75°F. Also, provide support for the stalks as they get heavier when the Brussel Sprouts grow abundantly. To harvest the crops, pick them from the bottom of the stalks.

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3. Butternut Squash (Cucurbita Moschata)

To grow this one of the best cool-season crops in Alabama, Butternut Squash thrives in full sun exposure with rich, moist, well-drained soil. The soil pH must be maintained between 6.0 and 7.5. Besides, this crop also prefers slightly warmer temperatures compared to other fall vegetables for Alabama gardens, around 70°F to 85°F.

Since it loves moist soil, you must offer weekly watering to conserve soil moisture. Also, add fertilizers after flowering to boost fruiting. And to harvest Butternut Squash, choose ones with hard skins.

4. Celeriac (Apium Graveolens var. Rapaceum)

Unlike previous cold-weather veggies in Alabama we have previously listed, Celeriac favors full sun but withstands partial shade. Since it belongs to cool-season crops, you must ensure their temperature growing conditions are between 60°F to 70°F.

Meanwhile, Celeriac also loves fertile, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Since it prefers humid soil, ensure you water the ground daily, especially if the soil type dries quickly. To help them thrive, hilling soil around the base plant and weeding is required. For harvesting Celeriac, use a clean fork and ease the base carefully.

5. Daikon Radish (Raphanus Sativus var. Longipinnatus)

In Alabama, Daikon Radish grows well under sunlight but tolerates partial shade. However, you must maintain temperatures between 50 to 75°F. Apart from light requirements, you must also ensure the planting area is sandy, moist, and well-drained, with a pH of 5.8 to 7.2 to stimulate healthy growth.

Regarding watering, you better water them early in the morning to prevent excessive heat. These conditions will lead to stunt growth for the Daikon Radish. Also, give fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks to stimulate “fruiting”. Consider thinking about providing more space for the roots to spread and grow.

6. Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus)

Furthermore, Jerusalem Artichoke thrives in diverse soil types, but they prefer loamy or sandy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. Regarding light requirements, find a growing area that gets full sun exposure or partial shade while maintaining temperatures between 60°F to 80°F.

For locking moisture, you can offer weekly watering. We also recommend fertilizing Jerusalem Artichoke when planting. If you deal with weeds, mulching and weeding are required. In addition, you can harvest one of the cold-weather veggies in Alabama in late fall or early winter.

7. Kohlrabi (Brassica Oleracea var. Gongylodes)

Like other fall vegetables to plant in Alabama, Kohlrabi performs well in loamy, moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 to 7.5. It also requires full sun exposure with a cool temperature of around 55°F to 75°F.

Even though it grows in cold temperatures, you should water these vegetables regularly, 1-1.5 inches per week. Meanwhile, once every 3 to 4 weeks, fertilization is also needed to infuse nutrients and stimulate the growth of Kohlrabi. For a side note, harvest Kohlrabi only when the swollen bulbs are 2-3 inches in diameter.

8. Mizuna (Brassica Rapa subsp. Nipposinica)

Knowing you can eat them fresh, you better grow Mizuna in your backyard garden. All you need to do is choose a planting location with full sun exposure. This crop also prefers cool fall temperatures around 45°F to 75°F.

Belonging to the easiest vegetables to grow, Mizuna is not fussed about the soil types as long as they are rich and well-drained, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. For that reason, you must water the veggies twice a day if you grow them on sandy soil. To encourage healthy development, providing adequate spacing is crucial to prevent overcrowding. In addition, you can harvest the outer leaves and let the inner ones grow.

9. Parsnip (Pastinaca Sativa)

To plant Parsnips in a fall garden in Alabama, follow Alabama planting dates. Apart from that, prepare an area with well-drained soil with a pH of around 5.8 to 7.5. You must also take light requirements into Alabama fall planting guide as Parsnips like full sun exposure but can cope well with partial shade, as long as the temperatures are approximately 50°F to 75°F.

In addition to light, you must include regular watering in Alabama vegetable care. This veggie requires regular watering in its early growing stage until it is well established. Unlike other fall harvests in Alabama, you can collect parsnips in cold temperatures to boost their sweetness. Also, wait until the diameter is about 2-3 inches.

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10. Radicchio (Cichorium Intybus var. Foliosum)

With these features, many are interested in trying growing Radicchio during Alabama fall planting. If you are one of them, prepare loose, loamy, much, well-drained, and moist soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 as a growing medium for this crop. Then, choose a site that receives partial shade or full sun exposure. Also, set up a thermometer in the garden since the crop thrives at 50°F to 75°F.

In addition, watering is also essential to lock moisture in the soil. We recommend 1-2 inches of watering per week. Add more water during dry spells but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. In addition, offer fertilizer after planting and once every 4-6 weeks to boost nutrients and growth.

Alabama Planting Zone

The Alabama hardiness zones, created by the USDA, help determine which fall vegetables to plant based on climate and minimum temperatures.

Zone 7a: Northern Alabama (Decatur, Huntsville) with temperatures between 0°F and 5°F. Best for broccoli, Swiss chard, and daikon radish.
Zone 7b: Northeastern Alabama (Anniston, Birmingham) with temperatures between 5°F and 10°F. Ideal for cabbage, Swiss chard, and bok choy.
Zone 8a: Includes Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, with temperatures from 10°F to 15°F. Suitable for mizuna, collard greens, and carrots.
Zone 8b: Southern Alabama (Dothan, Mobile) with temperatures from 15°F to 20°F. Good for kohlrabi, daikon radish, and green beans.

Consider other factors like light, soil, weather, maintenance, and planting calendar. Consult local resources for detailed Alabama vegetable gardening advice.

Alabama Vegetables Planting Calendar

The vegetable planting calendar in Alabama is a kind of gardening schedule for determining what types of vegetables, fruits, or crops in general can be planted each month. This schedule is crucial to ensure successful planting and abundant harvest.

If you have trouble finding Alabama vegetables planting calendar from nearest nurseries or other local resources, we have compiled a brief schedule for Alabama vegetables planting calendar below!

1. Winter to Spring Schedule (January, February, March)

You can start planning your Alabama fall vegetable garden by choosing a planting site and sowing seeds indoors for spring gardening. We recommend sowing cool-season crops seeds in January, such as broccoli, cabbages, and cauliflowers. Meanwhile, others like lettuce, carrots, and spinach are good to grow outdoors in February. In March, you may transplant the seedlings in your garden as the soil melts and gets warmer (over 60°F).

2. Spring to Summer Schedule (April, May, June)

During this season, you can let your cool-season seedlings continue growing outdoors. You may also transplant warm-season seedlings in your garden, too! Some you can plant are tomatoes, okra, melon, eggplants, and peppers. And in early summer (June), you can harvest your food from the garden.

3. Summer to Fall Schedule (July, August, September)

If you still have plants from the previous season, let them grow. Since the summer is typical with the scorching sun and humid condition, choose heat-tolerant varieties. In August, you can start seedling indoors for cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Then, transplant them in your fall garden in September.

4. Fall to Winter Schedule (October, November, Desember)

Let the seedlings grow in your garden in October and harvest them in November. You can also start planting garlic cloves and other cold-resistant crops during this season. When December arrives, give your garden a break for dormancy.

Final Thoughts

Autumn in Alabama does offer ideal conditions for cool-season crops to thrive. Not only are mild temperatures suitable for their growth, but also humid conditions offered by the Alabama subtropical climate. Several exotic vegetables you can plant in Alabama include Kohlrabi, Radicchio, Brussel Sprouts, Mizuna, and Parsnips.

However, it’s better not to be careless in choosing fall crops to grow in your garden. You can contact local resources to find out the planting calendar and gardening guide to ensure you grow suitable crops during the season. In addition, pay attention to the factors that affect soil growth so you can get a plentiful harvest.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How can you extend the growing season for fall vegetables in Alabama?

Growing vegetables in Alabama during fall is preferable for some reasons. Apart from the weather that supports sowing Alabama vegetable seeds and planting fall crops in Alabama, fall also allows you to extend the growing season.

However, you need to adjust some growing conditions to maximize harvest. In the Alabama fall planting guide, one of the best ways you can do is to choose early-maturing vegetable varieties to grow in fall gardens in Alabama, such as Turnips, Broccoli, and Kale.

Besides that, planting on raised beds or containers is also helpful in retaining heat and preventing frost. You can also support this method by mulching to offer organic matter as well as conserving soil moisture. Remember to choose planting areas with plenty of sun exposure for at least 6 to 8 hours to enhance growth. And most importantly, always check on the Alabama gardening calendar to ensure you pick the suitable crops for Alabama vegetable season.

Are there any specific pests or diseases that affect fall vegetables in Alabama?

Even though fall gardening benefits vegetables due to favorable weather, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need Alabama vegetable care, especially regarding pests or diseases. In general, these problems arise due to a lack of maintenance. Not only that but pest invasion and disease infection also occur due to generally humid fall conditions with cooler temperatures.

One of the pests that often attack before the Alabama vegetable harvest season are cabbage worms and aphids. Both feed on vegetable parts, such as leaves, stems, and/or roots which damage the plants. Even worse, aphids can spread disease in the plants they invade.

Apart from these two pests, flea beetles, powdery mildews, and root knot nematodes are also among vegetable garden foes you should watch out for during Alabama fall gardening. Common visible characteristics when your vegetables are infected with these pests are stunt growth, yellowing leaves, and plant deformities.

Can you grow herbs in your fall vegetable garden in Alabama?

Yes! In fact, one of the Alabama gardening tips is growing herbs in Alabama vegetable gardens. Besides being able to harvest the herbs to add to your dishes, they can also serve as companion plants to repel pests from your crops due to their distinctive smells.

Luckily, there are some herbs that thrive well in cold weather, including parsley, oregano, cilantro, chives, and thyme. However, you must ensure that the growing location must receive full sun exposure to allow them to thrive. You must also ensure well-drained soil and maintain its moisture by regular watering.

Where can you find local resources or gardening guides for fall vegetables in Alabama?

Suppose you are clueless about what grows in Alabama. In that case, you can always count on the Alabama planting guide and Alabama gardening calendar. And to get that information, go to the nearest local resources, such as the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) website.

You can simply check on the website and dive into helpful information to broaden your insights about Alabama gardening tips, Alabama hardiness zone, and even Alabama vegetable harvest.

Besides, we recommend checking local nurseries that generally provide Alabama gardening advice, garden schedule, and even seedlings of fall vegetables to plant in Alabama. Furthermore, joining gardening clubs, forums, and groups is also beneficial to exchange and explore more knowledge about anything related to fall gardening, such as the Alabama planting guide, farming calendar, and tips about vegetable gardening.