Plant garlic now or wait? - Ask Extension
Do you recommend planting garlic now or waiting another month or so? With the mild winter predicted due to El nino, I'm worried the garlic will think ...
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Plant garlic now or wait? #946378
Asked October 02, 2026, 2:20 PM EDT
Do you recommend planting garlic now or waiting another month or so? With the mild winter predicted due to El nino, I'm worried the garlic will think it's too warm.
What temperature should the soil be for planting garlic? Or average air temperature as a proxy for soil?
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
You can refer to our Growing Garlic in the Home Garden resource page. We would suggest waiting a couple of weeks, possibly until the end of the month.
If your timing is better now or sooner rather than later, it is ok if they have top growth. The plants just need to be exposed to a certain amount of cold temperatures for good bulb growth.
A mulch of straw or shredded leaves is helpful over the bed for the winter.
Emily
