When to Plant Garlic in California

Growing Garlic in California: Complete Guide

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a fall-planted crop — it goes in the ground a few weeks before the first fall frost and overwinters for harvest the following summer. Depending on your zone, California gardeners plant between September 25, 2026 (Zone 5b) and January 15, 2027 (Zone 10b).

Because California stretches across 12 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 240 days to maturity, Garlic fits comfortably within California's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Garlic requires full sun (6+ hours) and low to moderate moisture. California's microclimates vary widely — coastal gardens stay cooler while inland valleys can reach extreme summer heat.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of California.