When to plant garlic in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJAN

Sow Apr 26 · First harvest Dec 22 · Wrap by Oct 1

Last spring frostMay 10

Direct sowApr 26

First harvestDec 22

Last harvestOct 1

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 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 5a?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 5a that means sowing around Apr 26 and first picking around Dec 22.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

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