When to Plant Garlic in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 30 – Oct 28 in St. Cloud to Oct 20 – Nov 17 in Maplewood. In Minneapolis, it's Oct 16 – Nov 13. The average first fall frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Sep 30 in St. Cloud, Oct 20 in Maplewood), 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 Minnesota by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Andover | 4b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Apple Valley | 5a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Austin | 4b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Blaine | 5a | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Bloomington | 5a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Brooklyn Center | 5a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Brooklyn Park | 5a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Burnsville | 5a | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Chaska | 4b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Coon Rapids | 5a | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Cottage Grove | 5a | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Duluth | 4b | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Eagan | 5a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Eden Prairie | 5a | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Edina | 5a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Elk River | 4b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Fridley | 5a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Inver Grove Heights | 5a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Lakeville | 4b | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Mankato | 5a | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Maple Grove | 5a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Maplewood | 5a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Minneapolis | 5a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Minnetonka | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Moorhead | 4a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Oakdale | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Plymouth | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Prior Lake | 4b | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Ramsey | 4b | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Richfield | 5a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Rochester | 4b | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Rosemount | 5a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Roseville | 5a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Savage | 5a | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Shakopee | 5a | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Shoreview | 5a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| St. Cloud | 4b | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| St. Louis Park | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| St. Paul | 5a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Woodbury | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
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 Minnesota, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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