In March, gardeners in Alabama can plant the following vegetables and herbs: tomatoes, peppers, beans, carrots, lettuce, kale, chard, cilantro, basil, dill, and chives. It is also a good time to start planting perennials like violet, aster, bee balm, daylilies, black-eyed Susans, phlox, and yarrow.
If choosing annuals, look for varieties that will do well in the summer heat, such as verbena, marigolds, begonias, and petunias. Additionally, March is an ideal time to start planting fruit trees, shrubs, and vines.
Planting these early in the season will give the plants enough time to establish strong root systems, so they can take advantage of the summer rains. Some of the fruit trees that are well suited for Alabama, and can be planted in March, are peaches, pears, apples, and plums.
For shrubs and vines, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, and figs are all great options for Alabama climates.
What crops should I be planting now?
The crops you should be planting now depend on the climate and season. The types of plants and vegetables that do best in your climate and current weather conditions should be the first thing you consider.
It’s usually best to begin by researching what type of crops grow best in your area and then decide which ones you’d like to plant. Consider factors like sunlight, water, soil, and temperature to determine which ones are best suited to your garden.
If you’re looking for options to plant now, cool weather crops like lettuce, kale, and radish tend to do well in the spring and fall, and summer crops like cucumbers, beans, and squash are better suited to summer.
Nonetheless, if your climate allows it, you could also grow several types of crops year-round, such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and collards. Also, keep in mind which crops do better in containers and which do better in raised beds; some of the larger plants, such as squash and tomatoes, do better in raised beds.
Consider focusing on planting what you like eating and what adds color and texture to your garden. Here are a few useful tips that may help you decide what to plant now:
1. Start with cool-season crops: These include lettuce, spinach, kale, and radishes for the spring.
2. Plant warm-season crops: These include tomatoes, peppers, squashes, beans, zucchini and cucumbers for the summer season.
3. Plant all-season crops: There are a range of crops that are able to withstand longer and cooler seasons and so can be planted in all climates. All-season crops include carrots, onions, beets, potatoes, kale, garlic and Swiss chard.
4. Consider herbs and edible flowers: Herbs and edible flowers tend to grow fast and are fairly easy to maintain. Planting them now can help you enjoy them throughout the year.
5. Collect seeds: As you enjoy the plants and vegetables you have grown, save the seeds if possible. This will allow you to reuse them rather than buying new seeds each season.
Ultimately, it’s best to consult a local nursery or gardening center to get advice on what to grow for your climate, soil, and planting season. Whichever crops you decide to plant, with the right care and attention, you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful garden.
What plants thrive during winter?
In general, many native plants in temperate climates thrive in the winter. These can include evergreen shrubs like Rhododendron, junipers, Mountain Laurel, Mahonia, and holly. Perennials such as Heuchera, Sedum, Ligularia, Columbines, and Asters also do well in cold temperatures.
Ornamental grasses like Miscanthus, Calamagrostis, and Festuca offer color and texture during the winter months.
Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, kale, and collards are winter staples in a vegetable garden. Carrots, beets, and parsley are some hardy root vegetables that are frost tolerant and can last throughout the winter.
Winter flowering shrubs such as Witch hazel and Wintersweet promise bright blooms even in the coldest temperatures. Variegated evergreens like Camellias, Mahonia, and Pieris japonica remain colorful throughout the cold months.
For year-round greenery, Shrubs like Hellebores, Hypericum and Leucothoe also make good additions to winter gardens, offering a choice of foliage shapes and colors.
If you are looking to add color to a despondent winter garden, ornamental cabbage and plants in the Amaryllis family such as Narcissus and Galanthus provide cheerful blooms.
What is the most profitable crop to grow in Alabama?
The most profitable crop to grow in Alabama will depend largely on the specific type of climate, soil, and individual growing conditions. Some of the top crops that are grown in Alabama and are highly profitable include cotton, soy beans, peanuts, corn, hay, and wheat.
Cotton is a significant crop in the state and remains one of the most profitable due to the high demand for cotton fiber. Soy beans are also highly profitable and are used for animal feed, human consumption, and food processing.
Peanuts are an important cash crop in the Southeast and can provide producers with an excellent return on investment. Corn is a major component of many animal and poultry feeds, and also provides increasing energy options for human consumption.
Hay is also a valuable and versatile feed crop for livestock and provides good returns. Wheat is a reliable crop in Alabama and is used throughout many industries such as baking, pasta production, and ethanol production.
With careful planning, crop selection and management, Alabama producers can be successful and profitable.
What is Alabama’s most valuable crop?
Alabama’s most valuable crop is poultry and eggs. Alabama has long been one of the top poultry producing states in the US, with a poultry industry that contributes billions of dollars to the state’s economy each year.
In 2020, poultry and eggs were Alabama’s most valuable agricultural crop, contributing $7.9 billion to the state’s gross farm income according to the USDA’s Agricultural Statistics report. chicken and eggs, the two key components of the poultry sector, accounted for 44 percent and 38 percent of total farm income in Alabama, respectively.
The poultry industry provides much-needed jobs and income for rural communities in Alabama and has been a major source of revenue for the state for many years.
What are Alabama’s top 3 agricultural?
Alabama’s top 3 agricultural products are poultry and eggs, cattle and calves, and greenhouse and nursery. Poultry and eggs account for over 25% of Alabama’s agricultural cash receipts, making it the number one agricultural product.
Cattle and calves comes in second place, with over 19% of agricultural cash receipts. Greenhouse and nursery come in third, with over 15% of agricultural cash receipts. Together, these three products account for nearly 60% of Alabama’s agricultural cash receipts.
Other significant products include hay and forage, timber and wood products, cotton, and milk. Alabama is also home to important commodities such as peanuts, soybeans, corn, and sweet potatoes.
What is Alabama known for producing?
Alabama is known for producing a variety of goods and services. Within the agricultural sector, some of the most prominent products include cotton, poultry, peanuts, cattle, and nursery crops such as azaleas and poinsettias.
The state also has a large timber industry, as it is home to a number of different hardwood species.
Alabama is also a major producer of chemicals and petrochemicals. It is home to major production facilities for companies such as Exxon, BASF, and Solutia, among others. The state is also a leader in automotive production, with multiple plants operated by Honda, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz.
In terms of manufacturing and engineering, Alabama is a leader in the aerospace industry, producing aerospace components and structures for a number of domestic and international companies. It is also home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal, and is a leader in military production.
In addition, the state produces a wide variety of consumer goods such as clothing and furniture.
Finally, Alabama is known for its tourism industry, with a diverse range of attractions ranging from historic sites and museums to beautiful beaches, parks, and lakes. It is also home to several popular music festivals such as the Hangout Festival and the annual SEC Championship Game.
What are the top 5 agricultural commodities in Alabama?
1. Poultry and poultry products. Alabama is the second largest producer of poultry products in the United States and is the #1 producer of broilers in the United States, supplying over 20% of the nation’s production of chicken.
2. Cattle and calves. Alabama ranks 15th in the nation for the production of cattle and calves and is the 6th largest beef producer in the US.
3. Soybeans. Soybean production in the state has been steadily increasing for the past several years.
4. Corn. Alabama ranks 25th in the nation for corn production, and is an important part of the state’s agricultural sector.
5. Peanuts. Alabama is the 8th largest producer of peanuts in the United States, and peanut production has increased significantly in the state due to advances in technology and better farming practices.
Peanuts are an important source of nutrition and food security in the state.
Is it too late to plant tomato plants in Alabama?
No, it is not too late to plant tomato plants in Alabama. Tomatoes are usually best planted between March and July. Depending on your location in the state, temperatures should still be moderate enough for tomato plants to take root.
Tomatoes that are planted later in the summer may not produce as many fruit as plants which have had full seasons to mature and flower. However, if temperatures are not too hot and if plants get adequate fertilizer, water, and sun, tomatoes can still bear fruit if planted later than normal.
Unfortunately, extreme heat can cause tomatoes to stop flowering and producing fruit, so care should be taken to ensure plants are not exposed to too much heat. Additionally, if temperatures dip below 50°F, late-summer tomato plants may succumb to cold damage, so protecting them from frosty temperatures may be necessary.
Thus, while it may not be ideal to plant tomatoes in Alabama at this time of year, it is certainly not too late.
How late is too late to plant tomatoes?
It depends on the climate you are in but generally, it’s best to plant tomatoes as soon as the soil and air temperatures are warm enough, which is usually around mid-May. However, if you live in a warmer climate you may still be able to plant up until the end of June.
If you are planting in a very hot climate, it’s best to wait until a bit later, like late July or even August. Of course, growing tomatoes in the summer can be difficult because the intense heat and prolonged dryness can affect their growth.
You’ll want to ensure that your plants get plenty of water and shade to protect them from the sun. It is important to note that tomatoes are day-length sensitive, meaning they won’t produce fruit until they receive a certain number of hours of sunlight.
Planting tomatoes too late in the season could mean that your plants don’t receive the amount of sun they need and thus won’t produce fruit. If you’re planning to plant tomatoes very late in the season, look for shorter varieties or consider planting the tomatoes in containers and bringing them indoors during the late summer heat.
Can I still plant tomatoes in September?
Yes, you can still plant tomatoes in September. Depending on where you live, you may be able to plant tomatoes well into the fall months and get a harvest before winter. Tomatoes prefer warm soils and cooler temperatures during the day, so it is best to plant them in the late summer months when the temperatures are not too hot.
Planting in September could mean an early harvest, while planting in October or later may lead to an extended harvest period into the late fall months. To ensure a successful tomato harvest, you’ll need to choose a variety of tomato that matures quickly and in cooler weather.
You should also provide additional protection (such as row covers or a cold frame) to extend the growing season for warmth-loving tomatoes. And, of course, make sure to provide your tomato plants with plenty of sunlight and water for optimal growth.
