When to plant rutabaga in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b–9a, so the right time to plant rutabaga shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about February 7 in Mobile to March 23 in Jacksonville — below are local dates for 70 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | 8a | March 24 | November 8 | March 10 – April 7 |
| Mobile | 9a | February 21 | December 6 | February 7 – March 7 |
| Birmingham | 8a | March 21 | November 11 | March 7 – April 4 |
| Montgomery | 8b | March 4 | November 18 | February 18 – March 18 |
| Tuscaloosa | 8b | March 18 | November 10 | March 4 – April 1 |
| Hoover | 8a | March 19 | November 8 | March 5 – April 2 |
| Auburn | 8b | March 13 | November 17 | February 27 – March 27 |
| Dothan | 9a | March 1 | November 24 | February 15 – March 15 |
Rutabaga in Alabama: FAQ
When can I plant rutabaga in Alabama?
Across Alabama, the time to direct-sow rutabaga spans roughly February 7 in Mobile to March 23 in Jacksonville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rutabaga planting date vary across Alabama?
Yes. Alabama publishes 70 cities with their own frost dates, so the right rutabaga planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does rutabaga take to grow in Alabama?
Rutabaga takes about 90–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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