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When to Plant Garlic in Cedar County, MO

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.

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 1,062 feet, Cedar County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season.

Cedar County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Cedar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Oct 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Nov 1

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 585 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~2,392 GDD — county provides 2,914 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Cedar County, MO

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Sep 28

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 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 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Cedar 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 Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Cedar County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.