When to Plant Garlic in Idaho
In Idaho, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 20 – Oct 18 in Shelley to Oct 26 – Nov 23 in Lewiston. In Boise City, it's Oct 21 – Nov 18. The average first fall frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Sep 20 in Shelley, Oct 26 in Lewiston), 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 Idaho by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Ammon | 5b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Blackfoot | 5b | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Boise City | 7a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Burley | 6b | Oct 4 – Nov 1 |
| Caldwell | 7a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Chubbuck | 6b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 6b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Eagle | 7a | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Emmett | 7a | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Fruitland | 7a | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Garden City | 7a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Hailey | 6a | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Hayden | 6b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Idaho Falls | 5b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Jerome | 6b | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Kimberly | 6b | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Kuna | 7a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Lewiston | 7a | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| Meridian | 7a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Middleton | 7a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Moscow | 6b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Mountain Home | 7a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Nampa | 7a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Payette | 7a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Pocatello | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Post Falls | 6b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Preston | 6a | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Rathdrum | 6b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Rexburg | 5a | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Rigby | 5b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Rupert | 6a | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Sandpoint | 6b | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Shelley | 5b | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Star | 7a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Twin Falls | 7a | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Weiser | 7a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
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 Idaho, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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