When to plant garlic in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOV

Sow Mar 1 · First harvest Oct 27 · Wrap by Nov 15

Last spring frostMar 15

Direct sowMar 1

First harvestOct 27

Last harvestNov 15

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 8b?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Mar 1 and first picking around Oct 27.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

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