When to plant garlic in Portland, Oregon
December 8 – December 15
Fall planting · typical Portland yearClimate basis: NOAA station Portland Kgw-tv, OR (USC00356749), 1 mi (1 km) from downtown Portland (ZCTA 97204 centroid), elevation 159 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Plant garlic cloves from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median first fall 32°F freeze (December 1). One year in ten still freezes after March 21.
The Portland year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to Mar 21
Every method, with its sources
Fall planting
Dec 8 – Dec 15Minnesota: 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 (Dec 1). 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."