What to plant in July in Alabama

In Alabama (AL), July is the heart of the growing season - about 16 weeks after the last frost (March 25) and 16 weeks before the first (November 5). The state averages 225 frost-free days a year (last frost March 25, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).

14 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.

Dates here come from Alabama frost dates (last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Alabama.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 14Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 26

Alabama: planting activity through the year

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 25 – Nov 5

Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 14 have one in July; the busiest month is March (78).

For fall and winter harvests (5)

Sowings counted back from Alabama's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

Crop	What to do	Window	This month
Brussels Sprouts	Start transplants for fall	Jul 6 – Jul 23	Jul 6 – Jul 23
Rutabaga	Sow for a fall crop	Jul 20 – Aug 6	Opens Jul 20
Broccoli	Start transplants for fall	Jul 27 – Aug 13	Opens Jul 27
Cabbage	Start transplants for fall	Jul 27 – Aug 13	Opens Jul 27
Cauliflower	Start transplants for fall	Jul 27 – Aug 13	Opens Jul 27

Keep sowing (succession)

Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.

Cucumber: sow again on Jul 1 and Jul 22
Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jul 22
Bush Bean: sow again on Jul 8 and Jul 22
Sweet Corn: sow again on Jul 8 and Jul 22
Basil: sow again on Jul 1 and Jul 22
Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jul 8 and Jul 22
Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jul 1 and Jul 15 and Jul 29
Sunflower: sow again on Jul 8 and Jul 22
Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jul 8 and Jul 22

Harvesting in July

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Potato · May 20 – Jul 9 Sweet Corn · May 31 – Jul 10 Onion · Jun 2 – Jul 2 Shallot · Jun 2 – Jul 2 Bell Pepper · Jun 7 – Jul 7 Southern Pea (Cowpea) · Jun 7 – Jul 7 Brussels Sprouts · Jun 9 – Jul 9 Sunflower · Jun 10 – Jul 10 Lima Bean · Jun 12 – Jul 12 Edamame (Soybean) · Jun 15 – Jul 10 Tomatillo · Jun 15 – Jul 10 Chili Pepper · Jun 17 – Jul 17 Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · Jun 17 – Jul 7 Watermelon · Jun 17 – Jul 17 Eggplant · Jun 19 – Jul 9 Leek · Jun 19 – Aug 8 Winter Squash · Jun 20 – Jul 20 Parsnip · Jun 26 – Jul 26 Salsify · Jun 29 – Aug 8 Pumpkin · Jun 30 – Jul 30 Rosemary · Jun 30 – Jul 30 Celery · Jul 3 – Aug 12 Celeriac · Jul 3 – Jul 23 Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Jul 7 – Sep 5 Peanut · Jul 10 – Aug 29 Sweet Potato · Jul 14 – Aug 13

Planting dates for popular crops in Alabama

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Alabama: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant broccoli in Alabama →When to plant cabbage in Alabama →When to plant cauliflower in Alabama →When to plant tomato in Alabama →When to plant lettuce in Alabama →When to plant garlic in Alabama →When to plant bell pepper in Alabama →When to plant carrot in Alabama →Alabama frost dates by zone →

Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Alabama

Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
16 weeks until the average first frost (November 5). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage. See the fall and winter garden guide.
Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
Harvest often: potato, sweet corn, onion, shallot should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Alabama

Alabama spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

Zone	Last frost	First frost	Season
Zone 7	Apr 5	Oct 25	200 days
Zone 8	Mar 20	Nov 5	230 days
Zone 9	Feb 20	Nov 30	280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Alabama in July?

14 crops have a window in July: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Alabama in July?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Alabama have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 28.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Alabama in July?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Alabama the next lettuce window opens around August 31: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Alabama?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Alabama in July?

From plantings made on time: potato, sweet corn, onion, shallot, bell pepper, southern pea (cowpea), brussels sprouts, sunflower, lima bean, edamame (soybean).

← June in Alabama August in Alabama →Full-year Alabama planting calendar →Alabama frost dates →

What to plant in July in other states

Arkansas Florida Louisiana Mississippi Alaska Arizona California Colorado All states →

Dates are computed from Alabama’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.