Root Vegetable

When to Plant Garlic in Arizona

Plant in fall, harvest in summer. Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops for the patient gardener.

The Short Answer

In Arizona, soil conditions are an important factor for garlic. Alkaline, mineral-rich desert soils. Low organic matter. Heavy amendment with compost essential. Caliche layers may need to be broken. Garlic can also be planted in fall, 6 weeks before your first frost.

Arizona Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Arizona you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a May 15 - Jun 5 Sep 15 - Oct 10
Central Arizona (Phoenix) 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 1 - Dec 20
Southern Arizona (Tucson) 8b, 9a, 9b Feb 1 - Feb 25 Nov 20 - Dec 15

Garlic Planting Schedule for Arizona

Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) (Zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 15 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 15 - Oct 10

Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Central Arizona (Phoenix) (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Southern Arizona (Tucson) (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 25 · Average first frost: Nov 20 - Dec 15

Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Growing Garlic in Arizona

Garlic in Arizona's Climate

Softneck garlic only in subtropical zones. Plant in November-December — your mild winter is warm enough for active root and leaf growth all season. Harvest in April-May. Hardneck varieties will not bulb properly without sufficient cold. Creole garlic varieties are the most heat-adapted and may be worth seeking out from specialty suppliers.

Soil Considerations for Arizona

Alkaline, mineral-rich desert soils. Low organic matter. Heavy amendment with compost essential. Caliche layers may need to be broken. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for garlic since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Arizona Climate & Growing Season

Extreme heat in summer lowlands. Two planting seasons in Phoenix — spring and fall (summer is too hot). High elevation has traditional cold-climate seasons. Garlic can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Arizona's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Arizona: Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) (4b, 5a, 5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 15 - Jun 5, while Southern Arizona (Tucson) (8b, 9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 25. This difference matters for garlic — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Plant individual cloves pointy-side up in fall, 4-6 weeks before ground freezes. Mulch heavily. Harvest when lower leaves brown.

Companion Planting

Plant garlic alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Peppers Lettuce Beets

Keep garlic away from:

Beans Peas

The Bottom Line

Garlic can be grown successfully across Arizona, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) gardeners should plan around a May 15 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern Arizona (Tucson) can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Garlic Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Arizona Planting Calendar All plants for Arizona Garlic in Alabama Alabama planting dates Garlic in Alaska Alaska planting dates Garlic in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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