When to Plant Garlic in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 25 – Nov 22 in Statesville to Nov 20 – Dec 18 in Wilmington. In Charlotte, it's Nov 3 – Dec 1. The average first fall frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Oct 25 in Statesville, Nov 20 in Wilmington), 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 North Carolina by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Apex | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Asheville | 7b | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Burlington | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Cary | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Chapel Hill | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Charlotte | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Clayton | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Concord | 8a | Nov 2 – Nov 30 |
| Cornelius | 8a | Nov 2 – Nov 30 |
| Durham | 8a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 8a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Garner | 8a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Gastonia | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Goldsboro | 8b | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Greensboro | 8a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Greenville | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Hickory | 8a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| High Point | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Holly Springs | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Huntersville | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Indian Trail | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Jacksonville | 8b | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Kannapolis | 8a | Nov 2 – Nov 30 |
| Leland | 8b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Matthews | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Mint Hill | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Monroe | 8a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Mooresville | 8a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Morrisville | 8a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| New Bern | 8b | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Raleigh | 8a | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Rocky Mount | 8a | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| Salisbury | 8a | Oct 30 – Nov 27 |
| Sanford | 8a | Oct 30 – Nov 27 |
| Statesville | 8a | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Wake Forest | 8a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Wilmington | 8b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Wilson | 8a | Nov 12 – Dec 10 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 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 North Carolina, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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