When to Plant Garlic in Arizona
In Arizona, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 28 – Oct 26 in Flagstaff to Dec 29 – Jan 26 in Lake Havasu City. In Phoenix, it's Dec 25 – Jan 22. The average first fall frost differs by about 13 weeks across the state (Sep 28 in Flagstaff, Dec 29 in Lake Havasu City), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in Arizona by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction | 9b | Dec 10 – Jan 7 |
| Avondale | 9b | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Buckeye | 9b | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Bullhead City | 10a | Dec 23 – Jan 20 |
| Camp Verde | 8b | Oct 30 – Nov 27 |
| Casa Grande | 9a | Dec 6 – Jan 3 |
| Chandler | 9b | Dec 5 – Jan 2 |
| Chino Valley | 8a | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Coolidge | 9a | Nov 29 – Dec 27 |
| Cottonwood | 8b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Douglas | 8a | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| El Mirage | 9b | Dec 15 – Jan 12 |
| Eloy | 9a | Nov 28 – Dec 26 |
| Flagstaff | 6a | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Florence | 9a | Dec 12 – Jan 9 |
| Fountain Hills | 9b | Dec 28 – Jan 25 |
| Gilbert | 9b | Dec 11 – Jan 8 |
| Glendale | 9b | Dec 15 – Jan 12 |
| Goodyear | 9b | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Kingman | 9a | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Lake Havasu City | 10a | Dec 29 – Jan 26 |
| Marana | 9b | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Maricopa | 9a | Nov 24 – Dec 22 |
| Mesa | 9b | Dec 10 – Jan 7 |
| Nogales | 8b | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Oro Valley | 9a | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Paradise Valley | 10a | Dec 26 – Jan 23 |
| Payson | 8b | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Peoria | 9b | Dec 11 – Jan 8 |
| Phoenix | 9b | Dec 25 – Jan 22 |
| Prescott | 7b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Prescott Valley | 7b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Queen Creek | 9b | Dec 11 – Jan 8 |
| Sahuarita | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 25 |
| Scottsdale | 10a | Dec 21 – Jan 18 |
| Show Low | 7a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Sierra Vista | 8b | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Surprise | 9b | Dec 11 – Jan 8 |
| Tempe | 10a | Dec 5 – Jan 2 |
| Tucson | 9b | Dec 9 – Jan 6 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Parts of Arizona rarely see frost (for example Yuma, San Luis, Somerton). There, planting is timed by heat rather than frost, usually in the cooler months; look up your ZIP code for details.
See all frost dates in Arizona, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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