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When to Plant Garlic in Linn County, OR

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.

Linn County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 259 feet, Linn County receives approximately 37.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Garlic to ensure they mature before fall.

Linn County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Linn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Dec 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (292 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Jan 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (295 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Jan 29

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 265 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~1,774 GDD — county provides 1,999 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Linn County, OR

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 13 Sep 13 โ€“ Sep 27

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 8a

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Linn 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 Linn County, OR?

Linn County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Linn County, OR?

Linn County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Linn 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 Linn County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.