Garlic Planting Calendar by Zone (Month-by-Month Guide)

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow—once you know when to plant it. Timing is everything. Plant too early, and cloves may sprout before winter. Plant too late, and roots won’t have enough time to establish. The right timing depends on your USDA hardiness zone.

I’ve grown garlic for more than 30 years in different climates, from California’s Central Valley to Sonoma Valley. My experience matches what research and local extension services recommend: garlic thrives when planted according to local frost patterns.

Here’s a zone-by-zone guide to help you plan with confidence.

Table of Contents

General Rule of Thumb

Fall planting (recommended): Plant 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes.
Spring planting: In very cold regions, or if you miss fall, plant as soon as soil can be worked.

Garlic Planting Calendar by USDA Zone

Zones 2–3 (Very Cold Climates)

Best time: Late September to early October.
Tip: Choose hardy hardneck types; mulch deeply to protect cloves from severe winters.

Zones 4–5 (Cold Winters)

Best time: Mid-October to early November.
Tip: Garlic planted now will root before frost, then stay dormant until spring.

Zones 6–7 (Cool, Moderate Winters)

Best time: Mid-October to late November.
Tip: Both hardneck and softneck garlic perform well here. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature.

Zone 8 (Mild Winters)

Best time: Late October through December.
Tip: Choose softneck types; fall planting ensures strong growth before warm spring weather.

Zone 9 (Warm Winters)

Best time: November through January.
Tip: Vernalize (chill) cloves in the fridge for 6–8 weeks before planting to mimic cold exposure.

Zone 10 (Very Warm Winters)

Best time: December through January.
Tip: Refrigerate cloves before planting. Stick with softneck types, which are more heat-tolerant.

Zone 11 (Tropical/Subtropical)

Best time: January through February, or plant as a short-season spring crop.
Tip: Garlic struggles in high heat and humidity; try elephant garlic for better success.

My Gardener’s Note

In my zone (9b, Sonoma Valley), I plant in late November. I pre-chill cloves in the fridge to ensure proper bulb development. Mulching with straw keeps soil cool and moist through winter.

Quick Calendar Recap

Zone	Planting Months	Notes
2–3	Sept–Oct	Mulch heavily, plant hardy hardnecks
4–5	Oct–Nov	Roots before frost, dormancy over winter
6–7	Oct–Nov	Ideal for both hardneck & softneck
8	Oct–Dec	Fall planting ensures strong growth
9	Nov–Jan	Vernalize cloves before planting
10	Dec–Jan	Chill cloves, plant softneck types
11	Jan–Feb	Try elephant garlic, short-season crop