When to Plant Garlic
Published: April 21, 2026
Garlic is planted in fall and harvested the following summer — the opposite timing from most vegetables. It is one of the most hands-off, rewarding crops once established.
When to plant garlic
- Direct sow outdoors: on your last frost date
- Minimum soil temperature: 50°F
- Days to harvest: 240–270 days
- Sun requirement: Full sun
- Spacing: 6 inches apart
- Water: 1 inches per week
- Fall crop: No — single spring/summer crop only
⚠ PLANTING SEASON IS OPPOSITE: Plant garlic cloves in fall (October–November) for harvest the following summer (June–July). This is unlike any other common vegetable.
Growing Tips for Garlic
- •Plant individual cloves in October–November, pointed end up, 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart.
- •Mulch with 3–4 inches of straw after the first hard freeze to insulate through winter.
- •Remove garlic scapes (the curling flower stalks) in June from hardneck varieties to redirect energy to the bulb.
- •Harvest when the bottom 3–4 leaves turn brown — typically June in most regions.
Companion Planting for Garlic
✅ Plant garlic with
- • Tomato
- • Rose
- • Carrot
- • Cucumber
- • Beet
❌ Avoid planting near
- • Bean
- • Pea
- • Parsley
- • Sage
- • Asparagus
Common Garlic Pests and Problems
Regional pest pressure varies — see your state guide below for state-specific pest calendars and treatment timing.
Garlic Planting Dates by State
Select your state for exact sow and transplant dates based on local frost calendars.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I plant garlic?
Plant garlic cloves in fall — October through November in most US regions — 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes. This gives roots time to establish before winter dormancy. Spring-planted garlic is possible but produces much smaller bulbs.
What is the difference between hardneck and softneck garlic?
Hardneck garlic produces a flower stalk (scape) in June that you remove for larger bulbs. It has more complex flavor and is better for cold climates (Zones 3–6). Softneck garlic stores longer (up to 12 months), has milder flavor, and is better for warm climates (Zones 7+).
When do I harvest garlic?
Harvest garlic when the bottom 3–4 leaves have turned brown but the upper leaves are still green — typically June in most regions. Each green leaf corresponds to a wrapper layer on the bulb. Harvesting too early means thin wrappers; too late means the bulb falls apart.
What are garlic scapes and should I remove them?
Garlic scapes are the curling flower stalks that hardneck varieties produce in late spring. Remove them (snap off by hand) when they complete one full curl — this redirects the plant's energy into bulb development and can increase bulb size by 20–30%. The scapes are edible and delicious.
What grows well with garlic?
Garlic is a champion companion plant — it deters aphids, spider mites, and fungal diseases from nearby plants. Classic pairings include tomatoes, roses, and carrots. Garlic interplanted with roses is a traditional pest control strategy. Avoid planting near beans and peas which it inhibits.