Planting calendar for Huntsville, Alabama

Dates from 30 years of records at the Huntsville Intl Airport weather station, 12.8 miles from Huntsville, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Huntsville at a glance

Weather station: Huntsville Intl Airport · 12.8 mi
USDA zone: 8a
Last spring frost: typically Mar 24; 1 year in 10 after Apr 8
First fall frost: typically Nov 8; 1 year in 10 before Oct 27
Frost-free season: about 229 days
Hottest month: July: highs 92°F, nights 71°F
Coldest month: January: highs 52°F, nights 33°F
Rain: 54 in. a year, most in February, March and December

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Huntsville typically comes around Mar 24, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 8. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 8. That leaves about 229 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summer highs average 92°F in July. Lettuce, spinach and cilantro bolt in heat like this, so they're best planted Feb 24–Mar 26.

Huntsville gets about 54 inches of rain a year, most of it in February, March and December. Crops that rot or get disease in hot, wet weather are timed to miss those months.

161 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 13 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Huntsville, month by month

January5

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Collard greens, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Shallot, Spinach

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Catnip, Lavender, Lovage, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

February15

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Cabbage, Collard greens, Kale, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry

Flowers: Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

March71

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Blackberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Cabbage, Collard greens, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach, Blueberry, Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Malabar spinach, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Milkweed (native)

April59

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Basil, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Asparagus, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Radish, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Catnip, Cuban oregano, Dill, Lemon balm, Mint, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Muscadine grape, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May20

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pigeon pea, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Celosia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (lima), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd, Anise hyssop, Basil, Bay laurel, Epazote, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Tomato (slicing), Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June20

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cardoon, Celery, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass, Stevia

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold

Start seeds indoors

Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Parsley, Annual salvia, Marigold, Statice, Strawflower

July34

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), New Zealand spinach, Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Borage, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Leek, Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August30

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), New Zealand spinach, Okra, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Shallot, Turnip, Fenugreek (methi), Shiso (perilla), Calendula, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

September18

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Collard greens, Garden cress, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Parsnip, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Kale, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Chervil, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

October13

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

November12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts

December10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Huntsville

161 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 20–May 4, Aug 21–Sep 10	May 5–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 2–16, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 17–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 10–16	—	Jan 6–12	Set out plants
Arugula	Feb 10–Mar 25, Sep 16–Oct 1	Mar 26–Apr 23, Aug 16–Sep 15	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Feb 24–Mar 24	Mar 25–Apr 21	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 2–16, Aug 3–24	Apr 17–May 17, Jul 1–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 2–16, Jun 29–Jul 20	Apr 17–24, Jun 3–28	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 5–25	May 5–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 2–16, Jul 24–Aug 14	Apr 17–May 7, Jun 16–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Feb 24–Mar 17, Aug 19–Sep 9	Mar 18–Apr 9, Aug 9–18	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 2–16, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 17–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 10–28	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 6–20	May 21–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Feb 24–Mar 10	Mar 11–23	Jan 13–27	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Feb 24–Mar 21	Mar 22–Apr 6, Aug 28–Sep 19	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Sep 27–Dec 23	Aug 28–Sep 26, Dec 24–Feb 23	Aug 16–Nov 11	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 17–Mar 3	Mar 4–25	Jan 6–20	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 25–Jun 8	Jun 9–20	Mar 23–Apr 6	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 3–24, Aug 9–30	Mar 25–Apr 2	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 3–17	Mar 18–28	Jan 20–Feb 3	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Mar 10–18, Jun 25–Jul 16	May 21–Jun 24	Apr 9–30, Dec 23–31	Set out plants
Celery	Mar 14–26, Jun 21–Jul 12	Jun 4–20	Apr 5–26, Dec 27–Jan 8	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 3–16	—	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 3–24, Aug 17–Sep 6	Mar 25–Apr 10, Jul 22–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Sep 23–Feb 16	Feb 17–Apr 16, Jun 28–Sep 22	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 2–16, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 17–May 16, Jun 29–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 2–16, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 17–May 12, Jun 23–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 3–17	—	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 7–27	May 5–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 10–30	May 5–Jul 9	Feb 16–Mar 2, May 8–28	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 18–Nov 22	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 10–Apr 11, Sep 21–Oct 5	Apr 12–May 8, Sep 1–20	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 3–Jul 1	May 6–Jun 2	Apr 15–May 13	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Feb 24–Mar 10	Mar 11–Apr 21	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Jan 13–Feb 15, Oct 2–Dec 28	Feb 16–Apr 9, Aug 9–Oct 1, Dec 29–Jan 12	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Feb 24–Mar 10, Aug 27–Sep 16	Mar 11–Apr 14, Aug 16–26	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 26–Sep 24	Apr 8–23, Jul 29–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Sep 18–Dec 26	Jun 9–20, Aug 9–Sep 17, Dec 27–Mar 2	Jul 17–Oct 24	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Feb 24–Mar 26	Mar 27–Apr 15, Aug 16–Sep 21	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 3–19	Mar 20–28, Aug 28–Sep 4	Jan 27–Feb 12	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 6–20	May 21–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Jan 19–Feb 6, Oct 14–Dec 21	Feb 7–Mar 12, Sep 18–Oct 13, Dec 22–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 6–20	May 21–Jul 1	Mar 18–Apr 1	Set out plants
Moringa	May 6–20	May 21–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Feb 10–Mar 18	Mar 19–Apr 11, Aug 28–Sep 29	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Mar 10–24	Mar 25–Apr 1, Aug 16–30	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 2–16, Jul 27–Aug 16	Apr 17–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 6–20	May 21–Jul 1	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 6–20, Jul 25–Aug 14	May 21–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Feb 10–Mar 18, Jun 18–Jul 7	Mar 19–Apr 16, May 22–Jun 17, Jul 8–26	Apr 2–21, Nov 25–Dec 31	Set out plants
Parsnip	Sep 18–Dec 27	Jun 6–20, Aug 9–Sep 17, Dec 28–Feb 27	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 10–24, Aug 28–Sep 6	Feb 25–Mar 28	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 10–24, Aug 28–Sep 6	Feb 25–Mar 26	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 6–20	May 21–Jun 3	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 10–24, Jul 2–23	Apr 25–Jul 1	Feb 6–20, Apr 30–May 21	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 7–21, Jul 12–Aug 2	Apr 22–Jul 11	Feb 3–17, May 10–31	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 6–21	—	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Apr 2–9	Apr 10–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Feb 24–Mar 22	Mar 23–Apr 3, Jun 14–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 2–16, Jun 7–28	May 22–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 20–May 4, Aug 2–23	May 5–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Feb 24–Mar 3	—	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Feb 17–Mar 31, Sep 25–Oct 13	Apr 1–May 6, Aug 30–Sep 24	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Feb 24–Mar 16	—	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Oct 8–Dec 25	Sep 12–Oct 7, Dec 26–Feb 15	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	May 20–Jun 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 6–20, Jun 5–25	May 21–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Jan 12–Feb 16, Sep 9–Dec 29	Feb 17–Mar 29, Jun 8–Sep 8, Dec 30–Jan 11	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 6–20, Jul 7–28	May 21–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Jan 13–Feb 10, Oct 15–Dec 28	Feb 11–Apr 1, Sep 6–Oct 14, Dec 29–Jan 12	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 2–16, Jul 30–Aug 19	Apr 17–May 15, Jun 26–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Mar 6–27	Mar 3–5, Mar 28–Apr 14	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 2–9, Jul 12–Aug 1	Apr 10–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 2–28	May 6–Jun 1	Apr 14–May 10	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 3–24, Aug 24–Sep 14	Mar 25–May 13, Jun 24–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 2–16	Apr 17–Jul 30	Feb 19–Mar 5	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 2–16, Jul 27–Aug 16	Apr 17–Jul 26	Feb 12–26, Jun 8–28	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Mar 31–Apr 7, Aug 1–21	Apr 8–Jul 31	Feb 10–17, Jun 13–Jul 3	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 14–Aug 4	May 5–Jul 13	Mar 2–16, May 26–Jun 16	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 2–16, Jul 14–Aug 4	Apr 17–May 3, Jun 12–Jul 13	Feb 12–26, May 26–Jun 16	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 2–16, Jul 12–Aug 1	Apr 17–30, Jun 5–Jul 11	Feb 12–26, May 24–Jun 13	Set out plants
Turnip	Feb 24–Mar 10, Aug 29–Sep 19	Mar 11–Apr 14, Aug 16–28	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 3–17	Mar 18–Apr 21	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 6–20	May 21–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Apr 20–May 4, Jun 7–28	May 5–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 2–16, Jun 17–Jul 8	Apr 17–22, May 31–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 6–20, Jul 12–Aug 2	May 21–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Feb 7–Mar 7	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 20–27, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 28–Jul 24	Mar 16–23, Jun 20–Jul 10	Set out plants
Bay laurel	Mar 31–Apr 24	Apr 25–May 19	—	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 24–Apr 9	Apr 10–27	Feb 3–19	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 17–Apr 10, Aug 10–31	Apr 11–27, Jul 11–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 3–17, Aug 9–20	—	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 10–31	Apr 1–21	Jan 20–Feb 10	Set out plants
Chamomile	Feb 24–Mar 10, Aug 14–Sep 4	Mar 11–Apr 3, Aug 9–13	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 3–17	Mar 18–27, Sep 6–19	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 24–Apr 8	Apr 9–26	Feb 3–18	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 10–31, Aug 28–Sep 11	—	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 18–Jun 15	Apr 20–May 17	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 6–20	May 21–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 10–17, Aug 15–Sep 5	Mar 18–Apr 17, Aug 9–14	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 2–16, Aug 8–29	Apr 17–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 24–Apr 11, Sep 1–17	Apr 12–27, Aug 12–31	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 17–Apr 9	—	Jan 27–Feb 19	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Feb 3–Mar 3	Set out plants
Lavender	Mar 31–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Jan 13–Feb 3	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 10–31	Apr 1–21	Feb 3–24	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Apr 12–May 6	Mar 31–Apr 11, May 7–19	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 3–Jul 1	May 6–Jun 2	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 10–21	—	Jan 20–31	Set out plants
Marjoram	Mar 31–Apr 24	Apr 25–May 19	Feb 10–Mar 6	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 10–31	Apr 1–21	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Feb 3–Mar 3	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 20–May 4	May 5–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 3–17, Jul 30–Aug 20	Mar 18–Apr 9, Jun 19–Jul 29	May 28–Jun 18, Dec 30–Jan 13	Set out plants
Rosemary	Mar 31–Apr 24	Apr 25–May 19	Jan 13–Feb 6	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 17–Apr 6	Apr 7–26	Jan 27–Feb 16	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 2–9	Apr 10–Aug 11	Feb 26–Mar 5	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 3–27	Mar 28–Apr 20	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 15–Jun 8	Apr 20–May 14	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Mar 24–Apr 7	Apr 8–May 7	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 24–Apr 13	—	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Jan 27–Feb 24	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Apr 30–May 28	Apr 2–29	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Feb 3–Mar 3	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 17–Mar 10	Mar 11–Apr 21	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Jan 27–Mar 3	Mar 4–Apr 14	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Apr 20–May 4, Jun 30–Jul 20	May 5–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 2–16	Apr 17–Aug 4	Feb 26–Mar 12	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 3–31	Apr 1–May 12	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Feb 24–Mar 24	Mar 25–Apr 7	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 2–16	Apr 17–Aug 9	Feb 12–26	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Mar 3–24	Mar 25–Apr 14	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Feb 24–Mar 19	—	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Feb 24–Mar 20	Mar 21–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 20–May 4, Jun 27–Jul 18	May 5–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	May 5–20, Jun 25–Aug 22	Apr 2–May 4, May 21–Jun 24, Aug 23–29	Feb 24–Mar 11, Apr 16–Jun 13	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Feb 24–Mar 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 10–Aug 1	Mar 24–Jun 9	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 10–28, Aug 30–Sep 16	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 9–29	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Feb 24–Mar 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 6–13, Jul 2–23	May 14–Jul 1	Mar 18–25, May 14–Jun 4	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 27–Jul 25	Apr 2–May 26, Jul 26–30	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Feb 24–Mar 21	—	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 4–Jul 29	Apr 20–Jun 3, Jul 30–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	May 27–Jul 21	Apr 20–May 26, Jul 22–Aug 9	Apr 8–Jun 2	Set out plants
Larkspur	Oct 3–Dec 23	Sep 6–Oct 2, Dec 24–Feb 23	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 25–Aug 23	Apr 2–Jun 24, Aug 24	May 7–Jul 5	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Feb 17–Mar 17	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Mar 24–Apr 13, Aug 9–29	—	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 10–Mar 3, Sep 12–Oct 1	Mar 4–27	Jun 27–Jul 16, Nov 25–Dec 16	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 10–Aug 7	May 6–Jun 9, Aug 8–31	Apr 8–Jun 5	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	Jan 6–Feb 3	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 24–Apr 7, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 8–20, Jul 3–30	Jan 20–Feb 3, May 29–Jun 19	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 10–24, Sep 6–19	—	Jan 6–20, Jul 5–18	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 8–28	Apr 8–26, Jul 9–Aug 7	Feb 3–17, Jun 20–Jul 10	Set out plants
Sunflower	May 29–Jul 25	Apr 2–May 28	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 3–27, Sep 2–18	Mar 28–Apr 13, Aug 9–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 10–Mar 2	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 1–Jul 27	Apr 20–May 31, Jul 28–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Huntsville

These need a climate Huntsville doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 229 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 229 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Fennel (bulb): The frost-free season (about 229 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 229 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 229 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Snapdragon: The frost-free season (about 229 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 229 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Nashville, TN 100 mi · last frost around Apr 1
Atlanta, GA 143 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Montgomery, AL 164 mi · last frost around Mar 13
Columbus, GA 182 mi · last frost around Mar 5
Memphis, TN 198 mi · last frost around Mar 16
All Alabama cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Huntsville Intl Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).