When to Plant Garlic in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 16 – Nov 13 in Princeton to Nov 21 – Dec 19 in Atlantic City. In Newark, it's Nov 6 – Dec 4. The average first fall frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Oct 16 in Princeton, Nov 21 in Atlantic City), 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 New Jersey by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | 8a | Nov 21 – Dec 19 |
| Bayonne | 7b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Bergenfield | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Bridgeton | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Camden | 7b | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Carteret | 7b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Cliffside Park | 7b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Clifton | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| East Orange | 7a | Nov 6 – Dec 4 |
| Elizabeth | 7b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Englewood | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Fair Lawn | 7a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Fort Lee | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Garfield | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Glassboro | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Hackensack | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Hoboken | 7b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Jersey City | 7b | Nov 6 – Dec 4 |
| Kearny | 7b | Nov 6 – Dec 4 |
| Linden | 7b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Lodi | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Long Branch | 7b | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Millville | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| New Brunswick | 7a | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| Newark | 7b | Nov 6 – Dec 4 |
| Paramus | 7a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Passaic | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Paterson | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Perth Amboy | 7b | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| Plainfield | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Princeton | 7a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Rahway | 7b | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Ridgewood | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Sayreville | 7a | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| South Plainfield | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Trenton | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Union City | 7b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Vineland | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| West New York | 7b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Westfield | 7a | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
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 New Jersey, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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