When to Plant Garlic in South Dakota
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.
South Dakota spans USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
Find Your County
Click your county for exact Garlic planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Garlic Planting Calendar for South Dakota
▸ Zone 3b ~135 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 10 · First frost: September 22 · 135 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Sowing | August 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
▸ Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Sowing | August 17 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Sowing | August 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Sowing | August 27 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
Growing Tips for South Dakota
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.
Garlic in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Garlic in South Dakota?
Planting dates for Garlic in South Dakota depend on your USDA zone. South Dakota spans zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is South Dakota for planting?
South Dakota contains USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.