When to plant garlic in zone 4b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 4B

Growing SeasonZone 4b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJAN

Sow May 1 · First harvest Dec 27 · Wrap by Sep 25

Last spring frostMay 15

Direct sowMay 1

First harvestDec 27

Last harvestSep 25

First fall frostSep 25

Why these dates work in zone 4b

Zone 4b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 25 — about 133 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 4b?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 4b that means sowing around May 1 and first picking around Dec 27.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 4b?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 4b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 25).

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