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When to Plant Garlic in Androscoggin County, ME

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.

Androscoggin County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 1,087 feet, Androscoggin County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season.

Androscoggin County, ME (Zone 5a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Androscoggin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Nov 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~2,516 GDD — county provides 2,302 GDD Tight fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Androscoggin County, ME

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8

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 Fall Sowing
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 5a

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Androscoggin 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Garlic in Androscoggin County, ME?

Androscoggin County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Androscoggin County, ME?

Androscoggin County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Androscoggin County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Androscoggin County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.