When to plant garlic in zone 3b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 3B

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 25First frost ~Sep 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJAN

Sow May 11 · First harvest Jan 6 · Wrap by Sep 15

Last spring frostMay 25

Direct sowMay 11

First harvestJan 6

Last harvestSep 15

First fall frostSep 15

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 25 and first fall frost Sep 15 — about 113 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 3b?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 3b that means sowing around May 11 and first picking around Jan 6.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 15).

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