When to Plant Garlic in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 3 – Oct 31 in Hermitage to Nov 17 – Dec 15 in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, it's Nov 17 – Dec 15. The average first fall frost differs by about 6 weeks across the state (Oct 3 in Hermitage, Nov 17 in Philadelphia), 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 Pennsylvania by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown | 7a | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Altoona | 6b | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Baldwin | 6b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Bethel Park | 6b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Bethlehem | 7a | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Carlisle | 7a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Chambersburg | 7a | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Chester | 7b | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Easton | 7a | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Erie | 7a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Franklin Park | 6b | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| Greensburg | 6b | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Hanover | 7a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Harrisburg | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Hazleton | 6b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Hermitage | 6a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Indiana | 6b | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Johnstown | 6b | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Lancaster | 7a | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Lansdale | 7a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Lebanon | 7a | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| McKeesport | 6b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Monroeville | 6b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Murrysville | 6b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| New Castle | 6a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Norristown | 7a | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Philadelphia | 7b | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Phoenixville | 7a | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| Pittsburgh | 6b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Plum | 6b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Pottstown | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Reading | 7a | Oct 29 – Nov 26 |
| Scranton | 6b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| State College | 6b | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| West Chester | 7a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| West Mifflin | 6b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Whitehall | 6b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Wilkes-Barre | 7a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Williamsport | 6b | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| York | 7a | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
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 Pennsylvania, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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