Garlic Planting Guide
Garlic is a pungent allium planted in fall and harvested the following summer. Hardneck varieties produce edible flower stalks (scapes) and are more cold-hardy.
Allium sativum · Vegetable · Amaryllidaceae family · 90–240 days to maturity
Where Can You Grow Garlic?
Garlic Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Garlic planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 3b | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 4a | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 4b | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 5a | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 5b | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 6a | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 6b | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 7a | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 8a | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 8b | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 9a | — | — | — | — |
| Zone 9b | — | — | — | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 9b
Growing Tips
Plant individual cloves pointed end up in fall, 6 weeks before ground freezes. Mulch heavily with straw. Harvest when lower leaves begin to brown but 5-6 green leaves remain.
Saving Garlic Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Garlic by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Garlic?
Garlic (Allium sativum) takes 90 to 240 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Garlic grow in?
Garlic can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Garlic need?
Growing Garlic requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.