Alabama Gardeners Calendar

Use this calendar compiled by horticulturists with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, to help you plant your garden on time.

January

• Fruits and Nuts--Set out apple, peach and pear trees and grape vines. Start grafting pecan trees and prune dormant trees.
• Shrubs--Plant shrubs, bushes and trees such as broadleaf, narrowleaf and deciduous. Graft camellia bushes in South Alabama.
• Lawns--Soil test before setting up a fertility program.
• Roses--Visit nurseries and garden centers to select varieties and start planting.
• Bulbs-- Late planting of Dutch bulbs will still flower if planted now. Plant all types of lilies except Madonna. Check stored bulbs and throw out rotten ones.
• Miscellaneous--Give houseplants a bath in lukewarm water to remove dust. Check and repair sprayers and lawn mowers.

February

• Fruits and Nuts--Fertilize fruit trees. Apply half of the fertilizer recommended for grapes now. Apply the other half as soon as the fruit sets. Start strawberry plantings.
• Shrubs--Graft camellia bushes in Central and South Alabama. Spray all shrubs with a fungicide before new growth starts.
• Roses--Prune hybrid tea roses in South Alabama; delay pruning for a few weeks in North Alabama. Continue planting.
• Vegetable Plants--Plant cabbage, onions, lettuce, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
• Miscellaneous--Fertilize houseplants.

March

• Fruits and Nuts--Continue strawberry and grape plantings. Start planting blackberries.
• Bulbs--Plant cannas, amaryllis, gladiolus and zephyranthes in South Alabama; delay planting a few weeks in North Alabama.
• Shrubs--Fertilize shrubs (except azaleas and camellias) according to a soil test. Plant transplants. Watch shrubs for harmful insects.
• Lawns--Fertilize established lawns.
• Roses--Watch new growth for aphids. Begin a spray or dust program. Begin fertilizing.
• Vegetable plants-- Plant cabbage, onions, lettuce, broccoli and Brussels sprouts in North Alabama, and plant tomatoes and peppers in lower South Alabama.

April

• Fruits and Nuts--Start a spray program for all fruits. Plant raspberries and blackberries.
• Shrubs--Fertilize azaleas and camellias. When new growth is half-completed, spray all shrubs with a fungicide.
• Roses--Watch for insects and diseases. Remove old flower heads. Plant container-grown plants.
• Bulbs--Plant gladiolus, fancy-leaved caladiums, milk and wine lilies and ginger and gloriosa lilies.
• Miscellaneous--On camellias and hollies look for scale insects and spray if necessary. Carefully water newly planted of shrubs and trees.
• Vegetable seed--Plant tender vegetables such as beans, corn, squash, melons and cucumbers.
• Vegetable plants--Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, sweet potatoes and parsley.

May

• Shrubs--Newly planted shrubs need extra care now and in coming weeks. Don't forget to water them.
• Roses--Spray for insects and diseases. Fertilize monthly based on soil test. Container-grown plants in flower may be planted now. Prune climbing roses after the first big flush of flowering.
• Bulbs--Summer bulbs started in containers can be planted now. Don't remove foliage from spring flowering bulbs. Do not let seedheads form on tulips and other spring flowering bulbs.
• Vegetable plants--Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and sweet potatoes.

June

• Fruits and nuts--Layer grapes and continue spray programs. Thin apple and peach trees.
• Shrubs--Fertilize now. Keep long shoots from developing by pinching off tips.
• Annuals and Perennials--Remove old flower heads to promote continued flowering. Watch for insects and diseases.
• Vegetable Seed--Plant beans, field peas, pumpkins, squash, corn, cantaloupes and watermelons.
• Vegetable plants--Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and sweet potato vine cuttings.

July

• Fruits and Nuts--Protect figs and other ripening fruit from birds.
• Roses--Keep roses healthy and actively growing. Apply fertilizer. Wash leaves to prevent burning from the fertilizer.
• Vegetable Seed--Plant beans, field peas, rutabagas, squash, New Zealand spinach and Irish potatoes. Plant cabbage, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and celery for the fall crop.