Your USDA Hardiness Zone is one of the most reliable guides for choosing the right garlic variety and timing your fall planting. Here's everything you need to know, zone by zone. According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, with each zone covering a 10°F range.
Not sure what zone you're in? Find your USDA Hardiness Zone here, then come back and shop the varieties best suited to your climate.
Zone 3 (-40°F to -30°F)
States: Northern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, Montana, North Dakota, parts of Alaska
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: Late August – mid-September
Key considerations: Extremely cold winters require the hardiest hardneck varieties. Plant early to establish strong root systems before freeze. Mulch with 6–8 inches of straw after ground cools.
Want more recommendations? Read our complete guide to the Best Garlic Varieties for Zone 3 for detailed variety comparisons, growing tips, and planting advice.
Best varieties:
Music Hardneck Seed Garlic — exceptionally cold-hardy, large bulbs
Russian Red Hardneck Seed Garlic — bred for cold climates, robust flavor
Zone 4 (-30°F to -20°F)
States: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Upper Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Idaho
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: Mid-September – early October
Key considerations: Hardy hardneck varieties excel here. Mulch well after planting. Avoid softnecks — they won't reliably overwinter.
Learn more: Explore our complete Best Garlic Varieties for Zone 4 guide for in-depth recommendations and growing advice.
Best varieties:
Music Hardneck Seed Garlic — the gold standard for cold zones
Chesnok Red Hardneck Seed Garlic — excellent cold tolerance, rich flavor
Russian Red Hardneck Seed Garlic — reliable performer in harsh winters
Zone 5 (-20°F to -10°F)
States: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: Early – mid-October
Key considerations: Prime hardneck territory. Wide variety selection works well. 4–6 inches of mulch recommended.
For a more detailed look at growing garlic in Zone 5, including variety comparisons, planting tips, and care recommendations, see our Best Garlic Varieties for Zone 5 guide.
Best varieties:
Music Hardneck Seed Garlic — consistent producer
German Red Hardneck Seed Garlic — bold flavor, great cold tolerance
Chesnok Red Hardneck Seed Garlic — excellent for roasting
Korean Red Asiatic Hardneck Seed Garlic — unique Asiatic variety, performs well in cold
Zone 6 (-10°F to 0°F)
States: New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Mexico (high elevation), Oregon (east), Washington (east)
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: Mid-October – early November
Key considerations: Excellent zone for both hardneck and softneck varieties. Most versatile zone for garlic growing.
Looking for more information? Visit our complete Best Garlic Varieties for Zone 6 guide to learn which varieties perform best, when to plant, and how to maximize your harvest.
Best varieties:
Music Hardneck Seed Garlic — reliable and productive
Persian Star Hardneck Seed Garlic — beautiful purple striping, complex flavor
Messidor Softneck Seed Garlic — long shelf life, great for braiding
Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic — award-winning softneck
Zone 7 (0°F to 10°F)
States: North Carolina, Delaware, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Northern Texas, Virginia (coast), Washington (west), Oregon (west), Nevada (north)
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: Late October – November
Key considerations: Transitional zone — softnecks begin to outperform hardnecks. Both work well with proper variety selection.
Looking for more detailed advice? Check out our Best Garlic Varieties for Zone 7 guide.
Best varieties:
Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic — top softneck performer
Castano Softneck Seed Garlic — mild, versatile flavor
German Red Hardneck Seed Garlic — still performs well in Zone 7
Morado Creole Seed Garlic — begins to shine in warmer zones
Zone 8 (10°F to 20°F)
States: Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Central Texas, Louisiana, Arizona (high desert), California (central/north coast), Oregon (coast), Washington (coast)
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: November – early December
Key considerations: Softneck and Creole varieties are strongly preferred. Hardnecks may not get sufficient cold vernalization. Plant after temperatures consistently drop below 50°F.
See our complete Zone 8 guide for expert recommendations on the best garlic varieties to plant.
Best varieties:
Morado Creole Seed Garlic — thrives in warm winters, exceptional flavor
Castano Softneck Seed Garlic — reliable warm-climate performer
Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic — adaptable softneck
Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic — excellent warm-climate softneck
Messidor Softneck Seed Garlic — excellent storage variety
Zone 9 (20°F to 30°F)
States: Florida (north), Southern Texas, Southern California, Arizona (low desert), Louisiana (south)
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: November – December
Key considerations: Creole varieties were developed specifically for warm climates with minimal chilling hours. Softnecks are your next best option. Avoid hardnecks — they require cold vernalization to bulb properly.
Looking for more information? Visit our complete Best Garlic Varieties for Zone 9 guide to learn which varieties perform best, when to plant, and how to maximize your harvest.
**Growing in a warm climate? Read our
Best varieties:
Morado Creole Seed Garlic — the #1 choice for Zone 9, bred for warm climates
Castano Softneck Seed Garlic — dependable in hot climates
Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic — warm-climate softneck option
Zone 10 (30°F to 40°F)
States: South Florida, Hawaii, Southern California coast, Rio Grande Valley (Texas)
ℹ️ Most states include multiple USDA zones. Click your state for location-specific planting dates and growing recommendations.
Planting window: December – January
Key considerations: Zone 10 presents the greatest challenge for garlic growing. Winters are too warm for most varieties to receive adequate chilling hours for proper bulb development. Creole varieties are your best and often only option. Plant during the coolest part of the year and choose the highest elevation available in your area to maximize chilling hours.
Learn more: Explore our complete Best Garlic Varieties for Zone 10 guide for in-depth recommendations and growing advice.
**Growing in a warm climate? Read our
Best varieties:
Morado Creole Seed Garlic — the top choice for Zone 10, developed for minimal chilling requirements
Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic — most heat-tolerant softneck option
Quick Zone Reference Chart
| Zone | Temp Range | Planting Window | Best Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | -40°F to -30°F | Late Aug – mid-Sep | Hardneck only |
| 4 | -30°F to -20°F | Mid-Sep – early Oct | Hardneck only |
| 5 | -20°F to -10°F | Early – mid-Oct | Hardneck preferred |
| 6 | -10°F to 0°F | Mid-Oct – early Nov | Hardneck & Softneck |
| 7 | 0°F to 10°F | Late Oct – Nov | Hardneck & Softneck |
| 8 | 10°F to 20°F | Nov – early Dec | Softneck & Creole |
| 9 | 20°F to 30°F | Nov – Dec | Creole & Softneck |
| 10 | 30°F to 40°F | Dec – Jan | Creole only |
Find Your Zone & Shop Your Variety
Not sure what zone you're in? Find your State for more information here and then shop the varieties best suited to your climate.
Looking for your specific state? Read our Garlic Planting Calendar by State →
New to Growing Garlic?
Read our Complete Garlic Growing Guide for step-by-step instructions on planting, fertilizing, harvesting, curing, and storing garlic.