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When to Plant Garlic in Dundy County, NE

Garlic

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.

Dundy County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 994 feet, Dundy County receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Garlic to ensure they mature before fall.

Dundy County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Dundy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Garlic

Garlic needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Garlic Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Dundy County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Garlic Planting Timeline — Dundy County, NE

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Harvest November 25 Nov 25 – Feb 10
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 – Sep 9

Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Harvest
February Harvest
March
April
May
June
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November Harvest
December Harvest

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–240 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Dundy County

Growing Tips for Dundy 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Garlic in Dundy County, NE?

Dundy County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dundy County, NE?

Dundy County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Dundy County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dundy County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dundy County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.