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When to Plant Garlic in Newport County, RI

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.

Newport County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 441 feet, Newport County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic during the growing season.

Newport County, RI (Zone 7a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Newport County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Dec 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Dec 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~3,382 GDD — county provides 3,403 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Newport County, RI

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15

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 7a

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Newport 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 Newport County, RI?

Newport County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Newport County, RI?

Newport County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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