Putting Together an Alabama Planting Plan for the Year
It is wintertime in Alabama, but this is a great time to start planning what you’ll be planting throughout the year during the seasons. Anytime landscaping is involved you also have to consider how plants can prevent or cause bug infestations.
Below we’ll show you what to plant and what kind of insects issues to look out for during every season.
Winter Planting in Alabama
Just because it’s cold outside that doesn’t mean you have to put planting completely on hold. In Alabama the winters are mild enough to begin planting hardier plants like trees, shrubs and rose bushes. But there are also a number of vegetables that can be started so you have a nice crop come spring. Garden plants include:
- Cabbage
- Beets
- Cauliflower
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Strawberries
- Swiss chard
These first few months of the year are also the perfect time to put your planting and bug prevention plan together. You’ll have a little more downtime to devote to lining up a pest control company that can help you prevent insects and deciding which plants will make great additions to your yard. If you’re planning any major landscaping projects you’ll definitely want to go ahead and start getting everything ready for the warmer months.
One advantage during the winter months is bugs are still hiding away. They’ll pose less of a threat to your garden and the new shrubs or trees that you’re putting in place. If it’s a particularly warm winter keep your eyes out for bugs that emerge earlier than usual.
Spring Planting in Alabama
Spring is the time for planting flowers in Alabama. Annuals, perennials and bulbs of all kinds can be planted. If you want a robust garden in the summertime now is when want to start planting your fruits and veggies as well.
- Beans – many different varieties
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Okra
- Sweet potatoes
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
You’ll have to be very diligent about bug maintenance during this season because hungry bugs are coming out of their winter hibernation and mating. Treat for pests before you start to see them as a precautionary step to keep things under control. Pay close attention to spraying fruits that are starting to show. Roses and other flowering plants should also be given attention as insects can infest the budding blooms.
Summer Planting in Alabama
Summertime is more about maintenance than planting, though there are plenty of plants you can add during the warmest weather. Bugs will be out in full force so it’s important to keep up a regular treatment plan. Lace bugs can be a problem on shrubs, aphids and thrips might be out for bulbs and bugs of all kinds will be after your summer garden and ripening fruits.
Interested in planting a few more veggies? Keep your garden going with warm weather plants like:
- Collards
- Sweet corn
- Cucumbers
- Okra
- Eggplant
The one other thing to watch out for other than bugs is dehydration. During the hot summer months your plants will need more water and shade that they did before.
Fall Planting in Alabama
Fall is all about getting geared up for your winter garden. Because winter vegetables like warmer soil to begin with then cooler temps as they mature, fall is the optimal time to get everything in the ground.
After removing all the lingering plants from your summer garden, prepare the soil for your new crop of plants. In southern parts of Alabama seeds can be planted as late as mid-October and transplants can be added even later. Plants that thrive in winter gardens in Alabama include:
- Lettuce
- Greens
- Radishes
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
Other than extreme temperatures, the biggest threat to your winter garden is insects. Bugs like aphids, cabbage loopers, snails and slugs and whiteflies will think your veggies are as tasty as you do. When it’s warmer out bugs hang around looking for food and a place to settle down during the cold months.
Keep a close eye on your garden. If you see chewed through spots or holes in leaves this is a sign that bugs are beginning to feast. The name of the game is to get them out fast before they destroy your plants or burrow so deeply inside them that they’re protected from bug prevention efforts.
Image Source: www.flickr.com/photos/cinciw2/173636615
Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/garden-pest-control/putting-together-an-alabama-planting-plan-for-the-year