When to Plant Garlic in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 5 – Nov 2 in Pittsfield to Nov 9 – Dec 7 in Boston. In Boston, it's Nov 9 – Dec 7. The average first fall frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Oct 5 in Pittsfield, Nov 9 in Boston), 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 Massachusetts by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Attleboro | 6b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Barnstable Town | 7a | Oct 30 – Nov 27 |
| Beverly | 6b | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Boston | 7a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Braintree Town | 6b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Brockton | 6b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Cambridge | 6b | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Chelsea | 7a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Chicopee | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Everett | 7a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Fall River | 7a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Fitchburg | 6a | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Framingham | 6b | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Haverhill | 6a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Holyoke | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Lawrence | 6b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Leominster | 6a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Lowell | 6b | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Lynn | 7a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Malden | 6b | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Marlborough | 6b | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Medford | 6b | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Methuen | 6b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| New Bedford | 7a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Newton | 6b | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Peabody | 6b | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Pittsfield | 5b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Quincy | 7a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Revere | 7a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Salem | 7a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Somerville | 7a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Springfield | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Taunton | 6b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Waltham | 6b | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Watertown | 6b | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Westfield | 6a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Weymouth Town | 6b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Woburn | 6b | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Worcester | 6a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
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 Massachusetts, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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