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When to Plant Garlic in La Paz County, AZ

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.

La Paz County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 307 days.

At an elevation of 4,875 feet, La Paz County receives approximately 17.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 105ยฐF, so Garlic may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Garlic will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Garlic successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

La Paz County, AZ (Zone 9b) Year-round
307 days
Last Spring Frost February 2
307 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

La Paz County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 2 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Oct 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Nov 13

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
0.2″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,509 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Garlic needs ~4,744 GDD — county provides 8,855 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” La Paz County, AZ

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 โ€“ Nov 8

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 โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
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 9b

Growing Season

307 days

Growing Tips for La Paz County

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 La Paz County, AZ?

La Paz County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 2. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is La Paz County, AZ?

La Paz County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 2 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help La Paz County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 La Paz County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.