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When to Plant Garlic in Livingston 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.

Livingston County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 3,902 feet, Livingston County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season.

Livingston County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Livingston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 29

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~2,392 GDD — county provides 3,146 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Livingston County, KY

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 20 Sep 20 โ€“ Oct 4

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 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 6b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Livingston 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 Livingston County, KY?

Livingston County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Livingston County, KY?

Livingston County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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