When to plant garlic in zone 10a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 10A

Growing SeasonZone 10a

Last frost ~Jan 31First frost ~Dec 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

Sow Jan 17 · First harvest Sep 14 · Wrap by Oct 5

Last spring frostJan 31

Direct sowJan 17

First harvestSep 14

Last harvestOct 5

First fall frostDec 15

Why these dates work in zone 10a

Zone 10a's last spring frost averages Jan 31 and first fall frost Dec 15 — about 318 frost-free days. Garlic tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall.

Common questions

How long does garlic take to grow in zone 10a?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 10a that means sowing around Jan 17 and first picking around Sep 14.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 10a?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 10a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Jan 31) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 15).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full garlic growing guide →