When to Plant Garlic in Washington
In Washington, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 29 – Oct 27 in Pullman to Nov 23 – Dec 21 in Seattle. In Seattle, it's Nov 23 – Dec 21. The average first fall frost differs by about 8 weeks across the state (Sep 29 in Pullman, Nov 23 in Seattle), 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 Washington by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 8b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Bellevue | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Bellingham | 8b | Nov 2 – Nov 30 |
| Bothell | 8b | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Bremerton | 8b | Nov 14 – Dec 12 |
| Burien | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Des Moines | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Edmonds | 9a | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Everett | 8b | Nov 2 – Nov 30 |
| Federal Way | 8b | Nov 14 – Dec 12 |
| Issaquah | 8b | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Kennewick | 7b | Oct 30 – Nov 27 |
| Kent | 8b | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Kirkland | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Lacey | 8b | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Lake Stevens | 8b | Nov 2 – Nov 30 |
| Lakewood | 8b | Nov 21 – Dec 19 |
| Longview | 8b | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Lynnwood | 9a | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Marysville | 8b | Nov 2 – Nov 30 |
| Mount Vernon | 8b | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Olympia | 8b | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Pasco | 7b | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Pullman | 6b | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Puyallup | 8b | Oct 30 – Nov 27 |
| Redmond | 8b | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Renton | 9a | Nov 16 – Dec 14 |
| Richland | 7b | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Sammamish | 8b | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| SeaTac | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Seattle | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Shoreline | 9a | Nov 23 – Dec 21 |
| Spokane | 7a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Spokane Valley | 7a | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Tacoma | 8b | Nov 14 – Dec 12 |
| University Place | 8b | Nov 21 – Dec 19 |
| Vancouver | 8b | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Walla Walla | 7a | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Wenatchee | 7a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Yakima | 7a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
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 Washington, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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