When to plant garlic in zone 6a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6A

Growing SeasonZone 6a

Last frost ~Apr 30First frost ~Oct 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

Sow Apr 16 · First harvest Dec 12 · Wrap by Oct 10

Last spring frostApr 30

Direct sowApr 16

First harvestDec 12

Last harvestOct 10

First fall frostOct 10

Why these dates work in zone 6a

Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 10 — about 163 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 6a?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 6a that means sowing around Apr 16 and first picking around Dec 12.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 6a?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 6a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 10).

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