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When to Plant Garlic in Phelps 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.

Phelps County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 1,057 feet, Phelps 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.

Phelps County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Phelps County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Oct 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Nov 4

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 237 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~2,516 GDD — county provides 3,019 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Phelps County, MO

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26

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

198 days

Growing Tips for Phelps 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 Phelps County, MO?

Phelps County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phelps County, MO?

Phelps County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Phelps County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Phelps County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.