When to Plant Garlic in Colorado
In Colorado, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 1 – Oct 29 in Loveland to Oct 23 – Nov 20 in Grand Junction. In Denver, it's Oct 8 – Nov 5. The average first fall frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Oct 1 in Loveland, Oct 23 in Grand Junction), 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 Colorado by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Arvada | 6a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Aurora | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Boulder | 6a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Brighton | 5b | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Broomfield | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Castle Pines | 5b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Castle Rock | 5b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Cañon City | 6a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Centennial | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Colorado Springs | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Commerce City | 6a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Denver | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Durango | 6b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Englewood | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Erie | 5b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Evans | 5b | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Firestone | 5b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Fort Collins | 5b | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Fountain | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Frederick | 5b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Golden | 5b | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Grand Junction | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Greeley | 5b | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Greenwood Village | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Johnstown | 5b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Lafayette | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Lakewood | 6a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Littleton | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Lone Tree | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Longmont | 5b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Louisville | 6a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Loveland | 5b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Montrose | 6b | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Northglenn | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Parker | 5b | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Pueblo | 6a | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Thornton | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Westminster | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Wheat Ridge | 6a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Windsor | 5b | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
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.
See all frost dates in Colorado, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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