When to Plant Garlic in Virginia
In Virginia, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 18 – Nov 15 in Radford to Nov 26 – Dec 24 in Norfolk. In Virginia Beach, it's Nov 12 – Dec 10. The average first fall frost differs by about 6 weeks across the state (Oct 18 in Radford, Nov 26 in Norfolk), 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 Virginia by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | 8a | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Blacksburg | 7a | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Bristol | 7a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Charlottesville | 7b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Christiansburg | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Colonial Heights | 7b | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Culpeper | 7a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Danville | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Fairfax | 7b | Oct 29 – Nov 26 |
| Falls Church | 7b | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Fredericksburg | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Front Royal | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Hampton | 8b | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Harrisonburg | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Herndon | 7b | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Hopewell | 7b | Nov 6 – Dec 4 |
| Leesburg | 7b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Lynchburg | 7b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Manassas | 7a | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| Manassas Park | 7a | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| Martinsville | 7b | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Newport News | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Norfolk | 8b | Nov 26 – Dec 24 |
| Petersburg | 7b | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Poquoson | 8b | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Portsmouth | 8b | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Radford | 7a | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Richmond | 7b | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Roanoke | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Salem | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Smithfield | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Staunton | 7a | Oct 27 – Nov 24 |
| Suffolk | 8a | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Vienna | 7b | Oct 29 – Nov 26 |
| Virginia Beach | 8b | Nov 12 – Dec 10 |
| Warrenton | 7a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Waynesboro | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Williamsburg | 8a | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Winchester | 7a | Oct 29 – Nov 26 |
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 Virginia, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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