When to plant garlic in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOV

Sow Feb 14 · First harvest Oct 12 · Wrap by Nov 2

Last spring frostFeb 28

Direct sowFeb 14

First harvestOct 12

Last harvestNov 2

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 9a?

Garlic matures in about 240–280 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Feb 14 and first picking around Oct 12.

Will garlic survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — garlic tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

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