When to plant garlic in Reno, Nevada

November 3 – November 10

Fall planting · typical Reno year

Climate basis: NOAA station Reno Wfo, NV (USC00266791), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Reno (ZCTA 89501 centroid), elevation 4987 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 27). One year in ten still freezes after May 19.

Last spring freezeApril 281-in-10 after May 19
First fall freezeOctober 271-in-10 before Oct 10
Frost-free season182 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 10Nov 8kills even hardy greens
USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low not frost timing

The Reno year

Fall plantingNov 3 – Nov 10
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 19
Garlic in Reno · freeze context from Reno Wfo, NV, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Fall planting

Nov 3 – Nov 10

Minnesota: 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 27). University of Minnesota Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

Garlic is grown from cloves planted in fall, not from seed or spring transplants.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Direct-sow outdoors

Not calculated

The 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.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (1)

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