When to plant garlic in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOV

Sow Mar 11 · First harvest Nov 6 · Wrap by Nov 10

Last spring frostMar 25

Direct sowMar 11

First harvestNov 6

Last harvestNov 10

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 8a?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Mar 11 and first picking around Nov 6.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

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