Root Vegetable

When to Plant Garlic in Delaware

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

The Short Answer

In Delaware, soil conditions are an important factor for garlic. Sandy soils in south, clay loam in north. Generally well-drained. Slightly acidic. Garlic can also be planted in fall, 6 weeks before your first frost.

Delaware Frost Dates

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

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Delaware	7a	Apr 10 - Apr 25	Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Delaware	7b	Apr 1 - Apr 15	Oct 20 - Nov 5

Garlic Planting Schedule for Delaware

Northern Delaware (Zones 7a)

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

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Southern Delaware (Zones 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 1 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Fall Planting

6 wks before first frost

Growing Garlic in Delaware

Garlic in Delaware's Climate

Your climate grows both hardneck and softneck garlic well. Plant in October-November, 6 weeks before ground freeze. Hardneck varieties produce scapes in June (harvest and eat them) and bulbs in July. Softneck varieties store longer. Your moderate winter provides enough cold for vernalization without the extreme that can heave poorly mulched cloves.

Soil Considerations for Delaware

Sandy soils in south, clay loam in north. Generally well-drained. Slightly acidic. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for garlic since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Delaware Climate & Growing Season

Moderate climate with maritime influence. Good growing conditions for a wide range of vegetables. Garlic can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Delaware's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Delaware: Northern Delaware (7a) has a last frost around Apr 10 - Apr 25, while Southern Delaware (7b) sees frost end around Apr 1 - Apr 15. 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 Delaware, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Delaware gardeners should plan around a Apr 10 - Apr 25 last frost, while those in Southern Delaware can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

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