Cool-season leafy greens that thrive in Alabama's milder months—plant them in fall for winter harvest or spring for early-summer picking before heat sets in. Kale, cabbage, and mustard all tolerate light freezes and actually sweeten after a cold snap.

These one-gallon plants go in the ground quickly and produce for weeks. Space them 12 to 18 inches apart in rich soil with steady moisture, and you'll be cutting leaves or heads within two months of planting.