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When to Plant Garlic in Haines Borough, AK

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.

Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 1,921 feet, Haines Borough receives approximately 57.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 68ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Garlic to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Garlic root diseases.

Haines Borough, AK (Zone 6a) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
145 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Haines Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Nov 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Nov 19
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Dec 10

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~165 GDD — county provides 145 GDD May not mature

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Haines Borough, AK

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1

Plant 1" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“240 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for Haines Borough

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans
  • Asparagus

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Garlic in Haines Borough, AK?

Haines Borough is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Haines Borough, AK?

Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Haines Borough gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Haines Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.