When to Plant Garlic in Your Zone: A Quick Guide
If you’ve ever wondered when the perfect time is to plant garlic, you’re not alone. Garlic is one of those crops that rewards patience and timing. Plant it too early, and it might sprout before winter. Too late, and it won’t have enough time to establish roots. But with a little planning—and this guide—you can grow beautiful, flavorful garlic no matter where you live.
Whether you're a first-time gardener or a seasoned grower, understanding when to plant garlic in your zone is key to a successful harvest.
🌱 Why Garlic Is Planted in Fall
Unlike many vegetables, garlic is usually planted in the fall, not spring. That’s because garlic needs a cold period—called vernalization—to develop large, healthy bulbs. Fall planting allows the cloves to establish strong roots before the ground freezes. Then, after a winter of dormancy, they wake up in early spring, ready to grow vigorously.
📍 Garlic Planting Times by USDA Zone
Here’s a quick reference for when to plant garlic in your zone:
USDA Zone Ideal Planting Window
Zone 3 Late September – Early October
Zone 4 Late September – Mid October
Zone 5 Early – Mid October
Zone 6 Mid – Late October
Zone 7 Late October – Early November
Zone 8 Early – Mid November
Zone 9 Mid November – Early December
Zone 10 Late November – Early December
💡 Tip: Plant your garlic about 2–3 weeks before your ground typically freezes. You want enough time for root growth, but not enough for the tops to sprout too much.
🧄 What Kind of Garlic Should You Plant?
There are two main types of garlic:
Hardneck Garlic: Better suited for colder climates (Zones 3–7). It produces scapes in spring and offers complex, rich flavors.
Softneck Garlic: Thrives in milder zones (8–10) and is known for its long storage life and flexible culinary use. Softneck varieties are ideal for braiding and often preferred in warmer climates.
We specialize in heirloom garlic varieties, all grown using Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) practices, so you can feel confident you're planting something that's not only delicious but also grown using organic practices.
🛒 Need Garlic Seed? We’ve Got You Covered
If you haven’t sourced your seed garlic yet, now is the time! We offer:
Certified Naturally Grown heirloom seed garlic
Varieties suited for your climate
Garlic grown without chemicals or pesticides
👉 Browse our garlic seed collection here
📝 Final Tips for Fall Garlic Planting
Break apart the bulbs just before planting, and plant only the largest cloves.
Pointy end up, root end down.
Plant 2-4" deep and 4–6" apart.
Mulch heavily after planting (straw or shredded leaves work great).
For a more in depth planting guide, check out our Garlic Growing Guide!
🌿 Let’s Grow Something Great Together
Fall is one of our favorite seasons here on the farm. The air is crisp, the soil is rich, and planting garlic is like planting a promise. With a little care now, you'll be harvesting beautiful heads of heirloom garlic next summer.
If you have any questions about planting garlic, feel free to reach out—we love hearing from fellow growers!
Happy planting,
— Southwest Garlic Co.