When to Plant Garlic in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Jan 1 – Jan 29 in Morgan City to Dec 31 – Jan 28 in Kenner. In New Orleans, it's Jan 5 – Feb 2. The average first fall frost differs by about 52 weeks across the state (Jan 1 in Morgan City, Dec 31 in Kenner), 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 Louisiana by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | 9a | Dec 5 – Jan 2 |
| Alexandria | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 25 |
| Baker | 9a | Nov 26 – Dec 24 |
| Baton Rouge | 9a | Nov 26 – Dec 24 |
| Bogalusa | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Bossier City | 8b | Nov 24 – Dec 22 |
| Broussard | 9a | Dec 4 – Jan 1 |
| Carencro | 9a | Nov 28 – Dec 26 |
| Central | 9a | Nov 26 – Dec 24 |
| Covington | 9a | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Crowley | 9a | Dec 4 – Jan 1 |
| DeRidder | 9a | Nov 25 – Dec 23 |
| Denham Springs | 9a | Nov 26 – Dec 24 |
| Eunice | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 25 |
| Gonzales | 9a | Dec 5 – Jan 2 |
| Gretna | 9b | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Hammond | 9a | Nov 19 – Dec 17 |
| Houma | 9b | Dec 17 – Jan 14 |
| Jennings | 9a | Dec 4 – Jan 1 |
| Kenner | 9b | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Lafayette | 9a | Nov 28 – Dec 26 |
| Lake Charles | 9a | Dec 7 – Jan 4 |
| Mandeville | 9a | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Minden | 8b | Nov 14 – Dec 12 |
| Monroe | 8b | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Morgan City | 9b | Jan 1 – Jan 29 |
| Natchitoches | 9a | Dec 1 – Dec 29 |
| New Iberia | 9b | Dec 11 – Jan 8 |
| New Orleans | 9b | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Opelousas | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Pineville | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 25 |
| Ruston | 8b | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Scott | 9a | Nov 28 – Dec 26 |
| Shreveport | 8b | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Slidell | 9a | Dec 1 – Dec 29 |
| Sulphur | 9a | Dec 7 – Jan 4 |
| Thibodaux | 9b | Dec 14 – Jan 11 |
| West Monroe | 8b | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Youngsville | 9a | Dec 1 – Dec 29 |
| Zachary | 9a | Nov 26 – Dec 24 |
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 Louisiana, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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