When to plant garlic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
October 29 – November 5
Fall planting · typical Milwaukee yearClimate basis: NOAA station West Allis, WI (USC00479046), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Milwaukee (ZCTA 53202 centroid), elevation 723 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Plant garlic cloves from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median first fall 32°F freeze (October 22). One year in ten still freezes after May 12.
The Milwaukee year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 12
Every method, with its sources
Fall planting
Oct 29 – Nov 5Minnesota: plant cloves in the fall, usually one or two weeks AFTER the first killing frost (before the ground freezes). Harvest is the following summer. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Oct 22). University of Minnesota Extension
Start seeds indoors
Not calculatedGarlic is grown from cloves planted in fall, not from seed or spring transplants.
Transplant outdoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.
Direct-sow outdoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time direct sowing for this crop.
Variety assumption: Overwinters in the ground; bulbs are harvested the following summer.
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (1)
- University of Minnesota Extension: Growing garlic (accessed 2026-07-24)"Plant cloves in the fall, usually one or two weeks after the first killing frost."