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When to Plant Garlic in Dickens County, TX

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.

Dickens County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,421 feet, Dickens County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Garlic may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Garlic will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Garlic root diseases.

Dickens County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Dickens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.6-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Nov 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Nov 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Nov 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 614 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Garlic needs ~4,001 GDD — county provides 5,068 GDD Good fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Dickens County, TX

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 21 Sep 21 โ€“ Oct 5

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 Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Dickens 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 Dickens County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Dickens County, TX?

Dickens County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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