When to Plant Garlic in Alabama
In Alabama, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Nov 1 – Nov 29 in Trussville to Dec 6 – Jan 3 in Mobile. In Huntsville, it's Nov 8 – Dec 6. The average first fall frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Nov 1 in Trussville, Dec 6 in Mobile), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in Alabama by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabaster | 8b | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Albertville | 8a | Nov 19 – Dec 17 |
| Anniston | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Athens | 8a | Nov 12 – Dec 10 |
| Auburn | 8b | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Bessemer | 8a | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Birmingham | 8a | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Calera | 8b | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Chelsea | 8b | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Cullman | 8a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Daphne | 9a | Nov 19 – Dec 17 |
| Decatur | 8a | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| Dothan | 9a | Nov 24 – Dec 22 |
| Enterprise | 8b | Nov 21 – Dec 19 |
| Fairhope | 9a | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Florence | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Foley | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Gadsden | 8a | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Gulf Shores | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Helena | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Homewood | 8b | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Hoover | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Huntsville | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Madison | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Millbrook | 8b | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Mobile | 9a | Dec 6 – Jan 3 |
| Montgomery | 8b | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Mountain Brook | 8b | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Muscle Shoals | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Northport | 8b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Opelika | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Oxford | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Pelham | 8b | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Phenix City | 8b | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Prattville | 8b | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Prichard | 9a | Nov 25 – Dec 23 |
| Troy | 8b | Nov 21 – Dec 19 |
| Trussville | 8a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Tuscaloosa | 8b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Vestavia Hills | 8b | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Alabama, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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