When to plant garlic in zone 6b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6B

Growing SeasonZone 6b

Last frost ~Apr 20First frost ~Oct 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

Sow Apr 6 · First harvest Dec 2 · Wrap by Oct 15

Last spring frostApr 20

Direct sowApr 6

First harvestDec 2

Last harvestOct 15

First fall frostOct 15

Why these dates work in zone 6b

Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 20 and first fall frost Oct 15 — about 178 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 6b?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 6b that means sowing around Apr 6 and first picking around Dec 2.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 6b?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 15).

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