Blog

When to Plant Garlic in Marshall 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.

Marshall County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 1,550 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season.

Marshall County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Oct 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Oct 31

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 349 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Garlic needs ~2,764 GDD — county provides 3,551 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall 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

212 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, KY?

Marshall County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, KY?

Marshall County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Marshall County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.