When to Plant Garlic in District of Columbia

Growing Garlic in District of Columbia: Complete Guide

Garlic (Allium sativum) is fall-planted — it goes in the ground a few weeks before the first fall frost and overwinters for harvest the following summer. Depending on your zone, District of Columbia gardeners plant between October 15, 2026 (Zone 7a) and November 1, 2026 (Zone 8a).

Because District of Columbia stretches across 3 USDA hardiness zones (7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 240 days to maturity, Garlic fits comfortably within District of Columbia's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Garlic requires full sun (6+ hours) and low to moderate moisture. Check your local forecast for humidity and heat advisories that may affect timing and pest pressure.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of District of Columbia.