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When to Plant Garlic in Quitman 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.

Quitman County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 474 feet, Quitman County receives approximately 56.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Quitman County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Quitman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Nov 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Dec 4
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Dec 25

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~3,135 GDD — county provides 4,370 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Quitman County, MS

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 24 Sep 24 โ€“ Oct 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 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 8a

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Quitman 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 Quitman County, MS?

Quitman County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Quitman County, MS?

Quitman County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Quitman County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Quitman County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.