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When to Plant Garlic in Carroll County, KY

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.

Carroll County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 3,005 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 42.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season.

Carroll County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Oct 31
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Nov 20

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
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 62 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~2,888 GDD — county provides 3,237 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Carroll County, KY

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Sep 22

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 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 6b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Carroll 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 Carroll County, KY?

Carroll County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, KY?

Carroll County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carroll County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Carroll County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.