When to Plant Garlic in Vermont
In Vermont, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 27 – Oct 25 in Rutland to Oct 15 – Nov 12 in Burlington. In Burlington, it's Oct 15 – Nov 12. The average first fall frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Sep 27 in Rutland, Oct 15 in Burlington), 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 Vermont by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Barre | 5a | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Burlington | 5b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Essex Junction | 5a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Montpelier | 5a | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Rutland | 5a | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| South Burlington | 5a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| St. Albans | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Winooski | 5a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
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 Vermont, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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