When to Plant Garlic in Montana
In Montana, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 5 – Oct 3 in Butte-Silver Bow to Oct 7 – Nov 4 in Billings. In Billings, it's Oct 7 – Nov 4. The average first fall frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Sep 5 in Butte-Silver Bow, Oct 7 in Billings), 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 Montana by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | 5a | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Belgrade | 5a | Sep 16 – Oct 14 |
| Billings | 5a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Bozeman | 5a | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 5a | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Columbia Falls | 5a | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Great Falls | 4b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Hamilton | 5b | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| Havre | 3b | Sep 23 – Oct 21 |
| Helena | 5a | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Kalispell | 5b | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Laurel | 5a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Lewistown | 4b | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Livingston | 5a | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Miles City | 4b | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Missoula | 5b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Polson | 6a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Sidney | 4a | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Whitefish | 5a | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
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 Montana, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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