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When to Plant Garlic in Washington, District of Columbia (20521)

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

ZIP Code

20521

USDA Zone

8a

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Direct Sow Outdoors Friday, March 20, 2026

Pro Tip: Sow Garlic directly outdoors around your last frost date when soil starts to warm.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Allium sativum
Days to Maturity 240 days
Mature Height 12-24"
Spread 6"
Type Bulb
Fruit Size Medium (2-3 inch bulb)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6+ hours)

💧

Water

Low to Moderate

↔️

Spacing

6" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

2" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 8-21 days

Ready to Plant Garlic in Washington?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, March 20, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

TomatoPepperBrassicasCarrotRose

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

BeanPeaAsparagus

Other Plants for Washington

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Garlic in Zone 8a

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Washington, District of Columbia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, March 20, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Garlic grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.