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When to Plant Garlic in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 2,190 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season.

Lincoln County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Oct 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Oct 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Nov 11

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 ~2,888 GDD — county provides 3,447 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, KY

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Sep 28

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

197 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, KY?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, KY?

Lincoln County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.