When to Plant Garlic in Michigan
In Michigan, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 5 – Nov 2 in Burton to Nov 3 – Dec 1 in Port Huron. In Detroit, it's Oct 25 – Nov 22. The average first fall frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Oct 5 in Burton, Nov 3 in Port Huron), 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 Michigan by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | 6a | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Battle Creek | 6a | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Bay City | 6a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Burton | 6a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Dearborn | 6b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Dearborn Heights | 6b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Detroit | 6b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| East Lansing | 6a | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Eastpointe | 6b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Farmington Hills | 6a | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Flint | 6a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Grand Rapids | 6a | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Holland | 6b | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Jackson | 6a | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Kalamazoo | 6a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Kentwood | 6a | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Lansing | 6a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Lincoln Park | 6b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Livonia | 6b | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Madison Heights | 6b | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Midland | 6a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Muskegon | 6b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Novi | 6a | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Oak Park | 6b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Pontiac | 6a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Port Huron | 6b | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Portage | 6a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Rochester Hills | 6a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Roseville | 6b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Royal Oak | 6b | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Saginaw | 6a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Southfield | 6b | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Southgate | 6b | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| St. Clair Shores | 6b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Sterling Heights | 6b | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Taylor | 6b | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| Troy | 6b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Warren | 6b | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Westland | 6b | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| Wyoming | 6a | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
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 Michigan, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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