Early fall is the time to plant garlic. Plant right away if you haven’t already if you want a good potato crop next summer.
Garlic is a beloved vegetable in many home gardens. The savory flavor it adds to dishes makes it a staple in most kitchens. As a crop that is planted in fall and harvested the following summer, garlic follows its own unique growing schedule. This leads many gardeners to wonder–is it too late to plant garlic if fall is underway?
Fortunately for most US growing zones, there is a wide window for fall garlic planting However, optimal timing depends on your climate. This guide will walk through zone-by-zone planting times and growing tips to help you determine if it’s too late for garlic in your area
Why Fall Planting is Ideal
Garlic is typically planted in fall because the cloves require a period of cool temperatures for proper maturation and large bulb development After planting, the cloves send down roots before winter dormancy When spring arrives, the plants begin actively growing, forming bulbs as summer approaches. Fall-planted garlic is later cured and harvested in mid-summer of the following year.
Planting garlic in spring will yield smaller bulbs or may only produce stunted plants best used like scallions. While not ideal spring planting can work in a pinch if you missed the fall window.
Regional Fall Planting Times
Here are the optimal fall garlic planting times based on USDA plant hardiness zones:
Zones 1-3
In the coldest northern zones with subzero winters, garlic should be planted by late September. This gives the cloves time to anchor roots before the ground freezes over in October. Mulch heavily to protect from frost heaves.
Zones 4-5
Mid-October is ideal, allowing 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. Late October or early November may still work if the soil stays unfrozen. Insulate with mulch.
Zones 6-7
Late October into November provides the perfect cool window. Aim to plant a couple weeks before the first expected frost.
Zones 8-10
October through December offers lots of flexibility. Try for 2-3 weeks pre-frost. Warmer zones may need to chill bulbs.
Zones 11-12
December and January are suitable for pre-chilled softneck varieties. Hardnecks will be smaller without winter cold.
How Late is Too Late?
If your groundwork is still unfrozen and workable, you can likely safely plant garlic into November in zones 6 and warmer. In zones 4-5, aim for October but late fall may still produce smaller bulbs. Colder zones should target September planting.
The most crucial factor is allowing time for the cloves to root before heavy frosts or freezing temps. Mulching well and planting in raised beds or containers can buy extra time in late fall. But extensive freezing will damage unestablished plants.
Growing Tips for Success
Follow these tips for the biggest, healthiest garlic harvest:
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Select the largest, healthiest individual cloves for planting.
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Plant the cloves root-side down, pointy end up, 2-4 inches deep.
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Space cloves 6-12 inches apart to allow bulb swelling.
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Choose hardneck varieties for cold climates and softnecks for warm regions.
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Time plantings based on regional guidelines. Don’t plant too early.
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Amend soil with compost and fertilize lightly in spring.
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Ensure consistent moisture, especially during summer bulbing.
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Cure bulbs thoroughly after harvest for longest storage.
Can You Plant Garlic in Spring?
While suboptimal, planting cloves in spring as soon as the ground can be worked will still yield garlic greens and small bulbs. The plants can be harvested and used like scallions. Flavor will be milder without the cold period.
For the best results, garlic lovers should aim for fall planting. However, if you miss the window, or just want an early spring crop, go ahead and tuck those cloves into the soil as soon as winter frosts thaw. Just avoid expecting large bulbs from spring-grown garlic.
The Takeaway
Milder zones from 6 and up still have time for successful fall garlic planting into November if soils are unfrozen. Colder zones should target September-October for best bulb production from their fall crop. Mulch heavily for late plantings.
While spring planting is less ideal, determined garlic growers can still get a small harvest from cloves planted in early spring. For any planting, focus on high-quality, large cloves, proper spacing, and consistent moisture. Follow these simple tips and you’ll be harvesting bountiful garlic bulbs next summer.
Why do we plant garlic in the fall?
Garlic is a slow-growing crop, and planting in the fall allows it substantially more time to mature. When planted in the fall, garlic should be planted early enough so that it has time to grow roots and start making a shoot, but not so early that the shoot pops out of the ground. If it grows too fast in the fall, it’s more prone to frost damage.
This sweet spot for planting is typically within two weeks of the first frost. When we plant garlic, we can help keep it from getting damaged by the cold by covering it with a warm blanket of straw. Garlic starts to come up from the ground in March or April, which is early spring. This gives it a head start on the summer crops.
While this year has been warmer than average and many parts of the state still haven’t seen a hard frost, stick to the regular planting schedule. If you wait too long to plant, the roots will not have time to develop before winter. You can check your average first frost date here.
Late September was the best time to plant garlic in northern Minnesota. Right now is the best time to plant garlic in southern Minnesota. If you live in Northern Minnesota, you can still plant. Just make sure to cover your garlic with a thick layer of straw to keep it warm.
How Late is Too Late to Plant Garlic?
FAQ
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