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When to Plant Garlic in Coffee County, GA

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.

Coffee County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 110 feet, Coffee County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Garlic may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Garlic, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Garlic root diseases.

Coffee County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Coffee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Nov 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Nov 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~3,506 GDD — county provides 5,503 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Coffee County, GA

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 โ€“ Oct 25

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 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 8b

Growing Season

259 days

Growing Tips for Coffee 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 Coffee County, GA?

Coffee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coffee County, GA?

Coffee County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coffee County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Coffee County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.