Blog

When to Plant Garlic in Menominee County, MI

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.

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Menominee County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Garlic to ensure they mature before fall.

Menominee County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Menominee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 24

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 7 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~2,145 GDD — county provides 1,768 GDD May not mature

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Menominee County, MI

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3

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 4b

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Menominee 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 Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Menominee County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Menominee County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.