When to Plant Garlic in New York
Plant in fall, harvest in summer. Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops for the patient gardener.
The Short Answer
New York Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of New York you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adirondacks | 3b, 4a, 4b | May 20 - Jun 5 | Sep 5 - Sep 20 |
| Capital Region/Hudson Valley | 5a, 5b, 6a | May 1 - May 15 | Sep 25 - Oct 10 |
| New York City/Long Island | 7a, 7b | Apr 5 - Apr 20 | Oct 20 - Nov 10 |
| Western New York | 5b, 6a | May 1 - May 15 | Sep 25 - Oct 10 |
Garlic Planting Schedule for New York
Adirondacks (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)
Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 5 - Sep 20
Capital Region/Hudson Valley (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10
New York City/Long Island (Zones 7a, 7b)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 10
Western New York (Zones 5b, 6a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10
Growing Garlic in New York
Garlic in New York'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 New York
Diverse soils. Rich agricultural land in western NY and Hudson Valley. Rocky in Adirondacks. Clay in some areas. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for garlic since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.
New York Climate & Growing Season
Wide climate variation. NYC has mild winters. Adirondacks have very short seasons. Lake effect modifies weather near Great Lakes. Garlic can handle frost well, which is an advantage in New York's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.
Growing season length varies across New York: Adirondacks (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Western New York (5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 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:
Keep garlic away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026