When to plant garlic in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Sow May 1 · First harvest Dec 27 · Wrap by Sep 30

Last spring frostMay 15

Direct sowMay 1

First harvestDec 27

Last harvestSep 30

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 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 5b?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 5b that means sowing around May 1 and first picking around Dec 27.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 5b?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

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