When to plant garlic in zone 4a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 4A

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 20First frost ~Sep 20Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJAN

Sow May 6 · First harvest Jan 1 · Wrap by Sep 20

Last spring frostMay 20

Direct sowMay 6

First harvestJan 1

Last harvestSep 20

First fall frostSep 20

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 20 and first fall frost Sep 20 — about 123 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 4a?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 4a that means sowing around May 6 and first picking around Jan 1.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 20).

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