When to Plant Garlic: Fall vs. Spring Compared

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow, but timing is everything. After more than 30 years of planting garlic in both California’s Central Valley and my Sonoma Valley garden, I’ve seen how fall versus spring planting produces very different results.

In this post, I’ll compare the two planting times—highlighting the benefits, challenges, and my best tips for success.

Table of Contents

Why Timing Matters for Garlic

Garlic bulbs form in response to day length and soil temperature. Fall planting takes advantage of cool soil and winter chill, while spring planting requires careful management to compensate for the shorter growing season.

Fall Planting Garlic (Most Common and Recommended)

When to plant: Late September through November in most regions. Plant 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes.
Benefits:
- Strong root growth before winter dormancy
- Larger bulbs due to longer growing season
- Better flavor and storability
Challenges:
- Requires planning ahead in the fall
- Bulbs may sprout early in unusually warm winters

From my experience: Fall planting consistently produces my biggest, most flavorful bulbs. In Sonoma Valley, I plant in mid-October for harvest the following June.

Spring Planting Garlic (Less Common but Possible)

When to plant: As soon as the soil is workable in early spring, usually February to April depending on climate.
Benefits:
- Option for gardeners who miss fall planting
- Useful in areas with very mild winters
Challenges:
- Shorter growing season means smaller bulbs
- May form “rounds” (single large cloves instead of divided bulbs)
- Requires careful watering and feeding to encourage bulbing

Tip from my garden: If planting in spring, choose early-maturing softneck varieties and plant in the sunniest, best-drained soil available.

Climate Considerations

Cold climates: Fall planting is best; garlic needs winter chill for proper bulb formation.
Mild climates: Both fall and spring planting can work, though fall still produces larger bulbs.
Hot climates: Plant in fall but mulch heavily to regulate soil temperature.

Final Thoughts

If you want the biggest, best-tasting garlic bulbs, plant in the fall. Spring planting is a good backup, but expect smaller bulbs and possibly more rounds.

After decades of growing garlic, I can say confidently: fall planting gives you a head start, stronger plants, and the harvest you’ll be proud to braid, cure, and store.

Fall vs. Spring Garlic Planting at a Glance

Aspect	Fall Planting	Spring Planting
Best Planting Time	Sept–Nov (4–6 weeks before ground freezes)	Feb–Apr (as soon as soil is workable)
Bulb Size	Large, well-developed bulbs	Smaller bulbs; may form “rounds”
Flavor & Storage	Stronger flavor, longer storage life	Milder flavor, shorter storage life
Climate Suitability	Cold, temperate, and mild regions	Mild and temperate regions, or as a backup
Growing Season	Longer (roots establish before winter)	Shorter, plants mature faster
Challenges	Requires planning in fall, risk of early sprouting in warm winters	Smaller harvests, more careful care needed
Best Varieties	Hardneck and softneck	Softneck, early-maturing types