When to Plant Garlic in Pennsylvania

In a typical Pennsylvania location, plant in fall Sep 27 – Oct 11. Across the state, the fall planting window starts as early as Sep 5 in Hermitage and as late as Oct 20 in Bala Cynwyd.

Method Direct sow

Days to maturity 240–270 days

Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.

Garlic Planting Dates by City

City	Fall planting
Philadelphia	Oct 20 – Nov 3
Pittsburgh	Sep 29 – Oct 13
Allentown	Sep 26 – Oct 10
Erie	Oct 7 – Oct 21
Reading	Oct 1 – Oct 15
Scranton	Sep 22 – Oct 6
Bethlehem	Sep 26 – Oct 10
Bensalem	Sep 27 – Oct 11
Lancaster	Sep 26 – Oct 10
Abington	Oct 4 – Oct 18
Levittown	Sep 27 – Oct 11
Havertown	Oct 20 – Nov 3
Harrisburg	Sep 25 – Oct 9
Altoona	Sep 23 – Oct 7
York	Sep 21 – Oct 5
State College	Sep 28 – Oct 12
Wilkes-Barre	Sep 22 – Oct 6
Norristown	Oct 3 – Oct 17
Chester	Oct 19 – Nov 2
Mount Lebanon	Sep 30 – Oct 14
Bethel Park	Sep 30 – Oct 14
Wayne	Oct 3 – Oct 17
Radnor	Oct 3 – Oct 17
Williamsport	Sep 26 – Oct 10
Monroeville	Sep 27 – Oct 11
Cranberry Township	Oct 11 – Oct 25
Drexel Hill	Oct 13 – Oct 27
Plum	Oct 4 – Oct 18
Back Mountain	Sep 22 – Oct 6
Easton	Sep 27 – Oct 11

Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant garlic in Pennsylvania?

In a typical Pennsylvania location, plant in fall Sep 27 – Oct 11. Across the state, the fall planting window starts as early as Sep 5 in Hermitage and as late as Oct 20 in Bala Cynwyd.

When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?

The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do garlic take to grow?

Garlic typically take 240–270 days from planting to harvest. Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.

Other Crops in Pennsylvania

When to plant garlic in other states