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When to Plant Garlic in Natrona County, WY

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.

Natrona County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 127 days.

At an elevation of 6,332 feet, Natrona County receives approximately 13.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Garlic to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Garlic successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Natrona County, WY (Zone 4b) Short season
127 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
127 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Natrona County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Oct 27

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 742 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Garlic needs ~2,021 GDD — county provides 1,555 GDD May not mature

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Natrona County, WY

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 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 Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

127 days

Growing Tips for Natrona 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 Natrona County, WY?

Natrona County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Natrona County, WY?

Natrona County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Natrona County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Natrona County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.