Root Vegetable

When to Plant Garlic in Arkansas

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

The Short Answer

In Arkansas, soil conditions are an important factor for garlic. Heavy clay in lowlands. Rocky soil in Ozarks. Raised beds recommended for drainage. Garlic can also be planted in fall, 6 weeks before your first frost.

Arkansas Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Arkansas 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Central Arkansas 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 20 - Nov 5
Southern Arkansas 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15

Garlic Planting Schedule for Arkansas

Northern Arkansas (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Central Arkansas (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Southern Arkansas (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Fall Planting
6 wks before first frost

Growing Garlic in Arkansas

Garlic in Arkansas's Climate

Garlic grows well in warm climates but choose softneck varieties — most hardneck types don't get enough cold for proper bulb formation south of zone 7. Plant in October-November. Your mild winter means garlic grows actively through the cool months rather than going fully dormant. Harvest in May-June when lower leaves brown. Elephant garlic (actually a leek relative) also thrives in warm zones.

Soil Considerations for Arkansas

Heavy clay in lowlands. Rocky soil in Ozarks. Raised beds recommended for drainage. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for garlic since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Arkansas Climate & Growing Season

Hot, humid summers. Moderate winters. Good growing conditions for most vegetables. Garlic can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Arkansas's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Arkansas: Northern Arkansas (6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while Southern Arkansas (7b, 8a) sees frost end around Mar 15 - Apr 1. 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 Arkansas, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Arkansas gardeners should plan around a Apr 5 - Apr 20 last frost, while those in Southern Arkansas 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 Arkansas Planting Calendar All plants for Arkansas Garlic in Alabama Alabama planting dates Garlic in Alaska Alaska planting dates Garlic in Arizona Arizona 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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