When to plant garlic in California
Fall planting in San Jose
Oct 15–Nov 30
Across California the window opens between December 19 and October 25. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.
- Fall planting, San Jose
- Oct 15–Nov 30
- Last frost, San Jose
- Jan 2
Plant cloves from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Plant cloves pointy end up, about 2 inches deep. Roots grow before the ground freezes and leaves come up in spring. Where winters are mild, plant in October or November so cloves get some cool weather.
Garlic planting dates by city
Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
San JoseOct 15–Nov 30
FresnoOct 15–Nov 30
SacramentoOct 15–Nov 30
BakersfieldOct 15–Nov 30
StocktonOct 15–Nov 30
RiversideOct 15–Nov 30
IrvineOct 15–Nov 30
FremontOct 15–Nov 30
San BernardinoOct 15–Nov 30
FontanaOct 15–Nov 30
ModestoOct 15–Nov 30
Moreno ValleyOct 15–Nov 30
GlendaleOct 15–Nov 30
OntarioOct 15–Nov 30
Elk GroveOct 15–Nov 30
Santa RosaOct 15–Nov 30
Rancho CucamongaOct 15–Nov 30
OceansideOct 15–Nov 30
LancasterOct 11–Nov 15
RosevilleOct 15–Nov 30
PalmdaleOct 15–Nov 30
CoronaOct 15–Nov 30
SalinasOct 15–Nov 30
HaywardOct 15–Nov 30
SunnyvaleOct 15–Nov 30
PomonaOct 15–Nov 30
VisaliaOct 15–Nov 30
EscondidoOct 15–Nov 30
VictorvilleOct 21–Nov 25
PasadenaOct 15–Nov 30
All 274 cities
| City | Fall planting | Last frost |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Fresno | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 14 |
| Sacramento | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Bakersfield | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Stockton | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 5 |
| Riverside | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 9 |
| Irvine | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 5 |
| Fremont | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 1 |
| San Bernardino | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 27 |
| Fontana | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Modesto | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Moreno Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 27 |
| Glendale | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Ontario | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Elk Grove | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| Santa Rosa | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 25 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Oceanside | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 23 |
| Lancaster | Oct 11 to Nov 15 | Apr 3 |
| Roseville | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 22 |
| Palmdale | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 10 |
| Corona | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Salinas | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 29 |
| Hayward | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Sunnyvale | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Pomona | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Visalia | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 23 |
| Escondido | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Victorville | Oct 21 to Nov 25 | Mar 18 |
| Pasadena | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Santa Clara | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Clovis | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 14 |
| Simi Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 24 |
| Vallejo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Concord | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 9 |
| Fairfield | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 15 |
| Thousand Oaks | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| Berkeley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 3 |
| Antioch | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Menifee | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 28 |
| Temecula | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| Richmond | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Murrieta | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| Santa Maria | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 4 |
| Jurupa Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 9 |
| Rialto | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 10 |
| West Covina | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Chico | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 4 |
| El Monte | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Vacaville | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 18 |
| San Mateo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 29 |
| Burbank | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Hesperia | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 28 |
| Tracy | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 25 |
| El Cajon | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Daly City | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 30 |
| Merced | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 3 |
| Vista | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 30 |
| Chino | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Manteca | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 6 |
| Arden-Arcade | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| San Marcos | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Indio | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| Redding | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 3 |
| Hemet | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Folsom | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Carson | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 9 |
| Mission Viejo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Rancho Cordova | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Santa Barbara | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 13 |
| Citrus Heights | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| San Ramon | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 8 |
| Mountain View | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| San Leandro | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 7 |
| Livermore | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 15 |
| Perris | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 28 |
| Redwood City | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Alhambra | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Upland | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Milpitas | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Carmichael | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Pittsburg | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Chino Hills | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Alameda | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 7 |
| Rocklin | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 25 |
| Napa | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 12 |
| Apple Valley | Oct 21 to Nov 25 | Mar 18 |
| Lake Elsinore | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 28 |
| Pleasanton | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 15 |
| Redlands | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 27 |
| Tulare | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 23 |
| Turlock | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Dublin | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 15 |
| Eastvale | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Walnut Creek | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 7 |
| Yuba City | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 15 |
| Lodi | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 9 |
| Madera | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 12 |
| Baldwin Park | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Camarillo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| Palo Alto | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 1 |
| Brentwood | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Davis | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 10 |
| Castro Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Union City | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 7 |
| South San Francisco | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 29 |
| Laguna Niguel | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Porterville | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 20 |
| Woodland | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 7 |
| Hanford | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 7 |
| San Clemente | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Santa Cruz | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 29 |
| Beaumont | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Gilroy | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 24 |
| Montebello | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| La Mesa | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Petaluma | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 28 |
| San Rafael | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 11 |
| Pico Rivera | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Cupertino | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Santee | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Highland | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 27 |
| Monterey Park | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Lincoln | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 25 |
| West Sacramento | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| San Jacinto | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Yucaipa | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 27 |
| Arcadia | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Colton | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 10 |
| Palm Desert | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| Cathedral City | Dec 19 to Jan 23 | Jan 9 |
| Delano | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Novato | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 11 |
| Diamond Bar | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Watsonville | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 28 |
| San Luis Obispo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| El Dorado Hills | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 31 |
| Aliso Viejo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Glendora | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Los Banos | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 26 |
| Florin | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Rosemead | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Covina | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Poway | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 5 |
| Antelope | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Ceres | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| North Highlands | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Newark | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 1 |
| Oakley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Azusa | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Hollister | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 19 |
| Morgan Hill | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 24 |
| Coachella | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| Palm Springs | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 1 |
| Rohnert Park | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 25 |
| El Centro | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 3 |
| Lompoc | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 20 |
| Danville | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 8 |
| Lathrop | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 6 |
| Vineyard | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| French Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| Campbell | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| San Bruno | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 11 |
| Altadena | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 9 |
| La Quinta | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| Adelanto | Oct 21 to Nov 25 | Mar 18 |
| Calexico | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 3 |
| Monrovia | Oct 25 to Nov 29 | Apr 28 |
| San Gabriel | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Wildomar | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 28 |
| Montclair | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Foothill Farms | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Pacifica | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 11 |
| Martinez | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 28 |
| La Puente | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Claremont | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Orangevale | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Temple City | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| San Juan Capistrano | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Moorpark | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| Oildale | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Pleasant Hill | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 7 |
| Desert Hot Springs | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 25 |
| San Dimas | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Menlo Park | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 1 |
| Los Gatos | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| Fallbrook | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| Foster City | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Goleta | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 11 |
| Dana Point | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Spring Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Atwater | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 3 |
| Fair Oaks | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Burlingame | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 29 |
| Banning | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Santa Paula | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 31 |
| San Pablo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Seaside | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| El Paso de Robles | Oct 20 to Nov 24 | Mar 15 |
| Orcutt | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 4 |
| Los Altos | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Saratoga | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 2 |
| La Verne | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Laguna Hills | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Atascadero | Oct 20 to Nov 24 | Mar 15 |
| Suisun City | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 15 |
| San Lorenzo | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 11 |
| San Carlos | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Monterey | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 1 |
| East Palo Alto | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 1 |
| Belmont | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| East Niles | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Temescal Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 28 |
| Ridgecrest | Oct 22 to Nov 26 | Mar 11 |
| Brawley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 16 |
| Walnut | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Lemoore | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 24 |
| Sanger | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 30 |
| Reedley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 30 |
| Galt | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 9 |
| Patterson | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Riverbank | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Wasco | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Benicia | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Soledad | Oct 13 to Nov 17 | Apr 23 |
| Hercules | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| El Cerrito | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 3 |
| Dinuba | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 23 |
| Twentynine Palms | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 24 |
| Windsor | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 2 |
| South Pasadena | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| West Whittier-Los Nietos | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Mountain House | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 19 |
| Lafayette | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 7 |
| Eureka | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 22 |
| Loma Linda | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 27 |
| Norco | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 17 |
| Barstow | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 22 |
| Selma | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 30 |
| Bloomington | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 10 |
| Bay Point | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 9 |
| Shafter | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 20 |
| Ladera Ranch | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| East San Gabriel | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| San Fernando | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| Rosemont | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 12 |
| Marina | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 4 |
| Oakdale | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 31 |
| Linda | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 11 |
| Millbrae | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Dec 29 |
| Duarte | Oct 25 to Nov 29 | Apr 28 |
| Ramona | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 19 |
| Ashland | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 2 |
| American Canyon | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 5 |
| Laguna Beach | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Corcoran | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 15 |
| Imperial | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 14 |
| Rancho San Diego | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| West Puente Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
| Calabasas | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 24 |
| Winter Gardens | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| West Carson | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 9 |
| Yucca Valley | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Mar 14 |
| Lakeside | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 6 |
| Valinda | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Granite Bay | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 25 |
| Stevenson Ranch | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 8 |
| Greenfield | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 23 |
| Dixon | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Feb 10 |
| Rosamond | Oct 11 to Nov 15 | Apr 3 |
| Oroville | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 30 |
| East Hemet | Oct 15 to Nov 30 | Jan 10 |
Questions
When should I plant garlic in California?
In San Jose, fall planting from October 15 to November 30. Across California the window opens between December 19 and October 25, depending on the local last frost.
How is this date worked out?
Plant cloves from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.
More for California
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Tulip bulbs
Pumpkins
Strawberries
Onions
Carrots
Sunflowers
Cucumbers
Daffodil bulbs
Corn
Sweet potatoes
Asparagus
Watermelon
Lettuce
Green beans
Garlic in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming