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When to Plant Garlic in Itawamba County, MS

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.

Itawamba County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 385 feet, Itawamba County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Garlic, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Garlic root diseases.

Itawamba County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Itawamba County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Oct 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Nov 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Nov 21

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 53 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~3,382 GDD — county provides 4,530 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Itawamba County, MS

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 21 Sep 21 โ€“ Oct 5

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 7b

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Itawamba 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 Itawamba County, MS?

Itawamba County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Itawamba County, MS?

Itawamba County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Itawamba County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Itawamba County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.