Knowing when to plant garlic is just as important as choosing the right variety. Garlic is planted in fall, overwinters in the ground, and is harvested the following summer — but the exact timing varies significantly depending on where you live. Use this state-by-state garlic planting calendar to find your ideal planting window, then shop the varieties best suited to your climate.
For more detailed growing advice, visit our Growing by State guide and select your state.
Northeast
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine
Plant: Late September – October
These states experience cold, snowy winters — ideal for hardneck garlic. Aim to plant 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Chesnok Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | German Red Hardneck Seed Garlic
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Plant: October – early November
Varied climates from the Catskills to the coast. Hardnecks thrive upstate; softnecks work well in milder coastal areas.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Russian Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic
Mid-Atlantic & Southeast
Maryland, Delaware, Virginia
Plant: October – November
Transitional climate — both hardneck and softneck varieties perform well.
Best varieties: Chesnok Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | Messidor Softneck Seed Garlic
West Virginia
Plant: October – November
Mountainous terrain and cold winters make West Virginia excellent hardneck territory. Plant 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes and mulch well.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | German Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Chesnok Red Hardneck Seed Garlic
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Plant: October – November
Mild winters favor softneck varieties. Plant after first cool snap.
Best varieties: Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic | Morado Creole Seed Garlic
Florida
Plant: November – December
Florida's warm winters make garlic growing challenging. Softneck and Creole varieties are your best bet.
Best varieties: Morado Creole Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
Plant: October – November
Hot, humid summers and mild winters — Creole and softneck varieties are best suited.
Best varieties: Morado Creole Seed Garlic | Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic | Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic
Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas
Plant: October – November
Moderate winters with some cold snaps. Both hardneck and softneck perform well.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | German Red Hardneck Seed Garlic
Midwest
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota
Plant: September – October
Cold winters make this prime hardneck territory. Plant before ground freezes, typically by mid-October.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Chesnok Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Russian Red Hardneck Seed Garlic
Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas
Plant: October – early November
Continental climate with cold winters. Hardnecks are reliable; softnecks work in southern zones.
Best varieties: German Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Messidor Softneck Seed Garlic
North Dakota, South Dakota
Plant: Late September – October
Harsh winters require planting early enough to establish roots before deep freeze. Heavy mulching essential.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Russian Red Hardneck Seed Garlic
South Central
Texas
Plant: October – December (varies by region)
North Texas: hardnecks work well. Central and South Texas: softneck and Creole varieties are better suited.
Best varieties: Morado Creole Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic | Music Hardneck Seed Garlic (North TX)
Oklahoma
Plant: October – November
Transitional climate. Both hardneck and softneck work.
Best varieties: German Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic
Mountain West
Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
Plant: September – October
Cold mountain winters are perfect for hardneck garlic. Plant 4–6 weeks before ground freeze; mulch heavily.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Russian Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Chesnok Red Hardneck Seed Garlic | Korean Red Asiatic Hardneck Seed Garlic
Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
Plant: October – December
Desert climates vary widely by elevation. High desert: hardnecks. Low desert: softneck and Creole.
Best varieties: Morado Creole Seed Garlic | Persian Star Hardneck Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic
Pacific Northwest & West Coast
Washington, Oregon
Plant: October – November
Mild, wet winters in western regions favor softnecks. Eastern high-desert areas support hardnecks well.
Best varieties: Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic | Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Messidor Softneck Seed Garlic
California
Plant: October – December
Northern CA: softnecks and some hardnecks. Central Valley: softnecks. Southern CA: Creole and softneck.
Best varieties: Morado Creole Seed Garlic | Inchelium Red Softneck Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic
Alaska
Plant: Late August – September
Short growing season and extreme cold. Hardy hardneck varieties with heavy mulching are essential.
Best varieties: Music Hardneck Seed Garlic | Russian Red Hardneck Seed Garlic
Hawaii
Plant: November – January
Tropical climate makes traditional garlic growing difficult. Softneck and Creole varieties in higher elevations only.
Best varieties: Morado Creole Seed Garlic | Castano Softneck Seed Garlic | Garcua Softneck Seed Garlic
Ready to Plant?
Order your seed garlic today to reserve your favorite varieties for fall planting. We begin shipping across the United States in September, just in time for planting season.
Want to find your variety by USDA Hardiness Zone instead? Read our Garlic Planting Guide by Zone →
New to Growing Garlic?
Read our Complete Garlic Growing Guide for step-by-step instructions on planting, fertilizing, harvesting, curing, and storing garlic.