What to plant in November in Alabama
In Alabama (AL), the average first fall frost (November 5) has passed by mid-November. The state averages 225 frost-free days a year (last frost March 25, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.
Dates here come from Alabama frost dates (last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Alabama.
Alabama: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Alabama's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
Harvesting in November
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
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.
Spring bulbs to plant in November in Alabama
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.
After the first frost: November garden jobs in Alabama
- The average first frost (November 5) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
- Plant garlic now (Nov 16 – Dec 3): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
- Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
- Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.
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.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Alabama in November?
2 crops have a window in November: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Alabama in November?
No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Nov 16 – Dec 3 in Alabama.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Alabama in November?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Alabama have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 28.
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 November?
From plantings made on time: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bok choy / pak choi, mizuna, swiss chard, napa cabbage, mustard greens.
What to plant in November in other 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.