When to Plant Garlic in Texas (A Practical Guide for Southern Growers)

When you think of garlic, you might picture northern gardens with cold winters and heavy mulching. But garlic isn’t just a northern crop. In fact, planting garlic in Texas comes with its own unique challenges—and some surprising advantages.

While my own garlic-growing experience is rooted further north, I’ve come to appreciate how different regions shape the way we approach this humble bulb. What works for me in colder climates needs adjusting for Texas’s longer fall, warmer soil, and sometimes unpredictable weather patterns.

If you’re wondering when to plant garlic in Texas, let’s walk through what actually works based on climate, experience, and what fellow Texas gardeners have found.

The Best Time to Plant Garlic in Texas – When to Plant Garlic in Texas?

The golden rule still applies: garlic wants to grow roots before the ground freezes—but without sprouting leaves too soon.

In Texas, the timing shifts earlier than in colder states. The best time to plant garlic in Texas is typically from late October through early December, depending on where you are.

For North Texas, you’ll want to aim for mid to late October. If you’re in Central Texas, late October to mid-November tends to be ideal. In South Texas, where winters are milder, you can safely plant into late November or even early December.

But, as with any gardening advice, these are guides—not guarantees.

Texas gardeners often face warm falls that can trick garlic into sprouting early. A few years back, a friend in Austin shared how she planted in early October, only to watch her garlic shoot up tall green leaves, mistaking 80°F afternoons for spring. The result? The plants survived, but bulb development suffered.

That’s why watching soil temperatures is more reliable than watching the calendar. Garlic prefers to be planted when soil temps drop below 50-60°F at 4 inches depth. In much of Texas, this might not happen until well into November.

Why Timing Garlic in Texas Feels Different?

Growing garlic in Texas isn’t harder—it’s just different.

The lack of a deep freeze in southern parts means garlic won’t get the same chilling period it enjoys up north. For hardneck garlic varieties, which rely on cold winters to develop properly, this can be an issue.

That’s why many Texas gardeners prefer softneck garlic. Varieties like ‘Inchelium Red’ or ‘California Early’ tend to thrive better in Texas’s warmer zones.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t grow hardneck garlic in Texas. Some northern Texas growers still plant ‘Music’ or ‘Chesnok Red’, accepting smaller bulbs in exchange for superior flavor. Just know that your results may vary based on winter severity.

How to Plant Garlic in Texas (My Best Advice)?

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The planting process remains the same, regardless of geography. Here’s how I would approach planting garlic in Texas, based on what has worked (and what I’ve learned not to do):

1. Start with quality seed garlic. Avoid grocery store bulbs, which aren’t bred for Texas conditions.
2. Break bulbs into individual cloves just before planting.
3. Plant cloves 2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up.
4. Space cloves 6 inches apart, rows about 12 inches apart.
5. Amend the soil well—Texas soils can range from heavy clay to sandy loam. Garlic prefers rich, loose soil.
6. Mulch lightly in warmer zones. Unlike up north, where I heap on 6 inches of straw, in Texas, too much mulch can trap heat and encourage premature sprouting. A lighter 2-3 inch layer is often sufficient.
7. Water gently to settle the soil but avoid overwatering.

For raised beds, which are popular in Texas to combat poor native soils, it’s helpful to calculate the right soil volume. I always recommend using a Soil Volume Calculator to get it right.

Common Mistakes Texas Gardeners Make with Garlic

I’ve noticed a few pitfalls that are particularly common when growing garlic in Texas:

• Planting too early, before soil temps cool down, leading to early sprouting.
• Over-mulching, which in Texas’s mild winters can backfire by overheating the cloves.
• Choosing the wrong variety—softneck types generally outperform hardneck in warmer zones.
• Forgetting about soil drainage. Garlic hates soggy roots. Raised beds or well-amended soil are essential.
• Ignoring soil pH. Garlic likes a pH between 6.0-6.5. If you’re unsure, check with a Soil pH Calculator.

Can You Plant Garlic in Spring in Texas?

Technically, yes. But practically? It’s not ideal.

Spring-planted garlic in Texas often struggles because the plants don’t get enough time to develop before the heat of summer kicks in. Bulbs remain small, and the harvest window gets squeezed.

That said, some gardeners in southern Texas have had moderate success with spring planting, especially if they choose quick-growing softneck varieties.

If fall planting slips by, spring is a backup option—but it comes with compromises.

Before you plant garlic, it’s essential to know your USDA Planting Zone. Garlic planting times vary based on local climate and frost patterns. Whether you’re in Zone 5b or Zone 9a, adjusting your planting schedule to your zone ensures a successful harvest. You can easily find your zone with this USDA Planting Zone Lookup and plan accordingly.

When to Harvest Garlic in Texas?

Because garlic is planted later in Texas, it also tends to be harvested later. Most Texas gardeners report harvesting garlic between late May and early July.

The general rule holds: when half the lower leaves turn brown, it’s time to harvest. But remember, Texas heat can accelerate leaf die-back, so watch closely and avoid leaving bulbs in too long.

Another tip that has served me well: stop watering about 2-3 weeks before harvesting. This helps bulbs cure in the soil and improves storage life.

Final Thoughts: Garlic Grows Differently in Texas, but It Grows Well

Planting garlic in Texas isn’t about following rigid rules. It’s about reading your soil, watching the weather, and choosing varieties that suit your region.

The best time to plant garlic in Texas is generally from late October through November, with some regions stretching into December. But soil temperature, not just calendar dates, should guide your hand.

While my own garlic-growing happens further north, the lessons translate: roots before shoots, cooler soil before planting, and variety matters.

If you’re interested in broader garlic-growing advice, this Garlic Planting Guide is a solid resource to keep handy.

At the end of the day, garlic is patient. As long as you respect its needs, Texas gardeners can enjoy beautiful bulbs just as much as anyone else.

FAQs: When to Plant Garlic in Texas

What month do you plant garlic in Texas?

In Texas, garlic is typically planted from late October through November. Gardeners in southern Texas may even plant into early December, depending on soil temperatures. The key is to plant when soil temperatures drop below 50-60°F.

What month is best to sow garlic?

The best month to sow garlic depends on your region, but for Texas, November often hits the sweet spot. It provides enough time for root development before winter without risking premature sprouting during warmer fall spells.

What should you not plant garlic next to?

Garlic should not be planted next to crops like beans, peas, asparagus, or parsley. These plants can struggle with garlic’s natural pest-repelling compounds. Instead, garlic pairs well with tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce.

How to grow garlic in Texas from a clove?

To grow garlic in Texas from a clove, break apart a bulb into individual cloves. Plant each clove 2 inches deep, pointy side up, spaced 6 inches apart. Focus on softneck varieties for southern Texas, but hardneck can perform in the north. Mulch lightly and ensure good drainage to combat Texas’s variable fall weather.

What is the best garlic variety for Texas?

For most Texas gardeners, softneck garlic varieties like ‘Inchelium Red’ or ‘California Early’ are reliable choices due to their tolerance for milder winters. In northern Texas, some hardneck varieties like ‘Chesnok Red’ or ‘Music’ can also succeed with proper care.

What is the fastest way to grow garlic?

There’s no shortcut to growing full-sized garlic bulbs—it generally takes 8-9 months from planting to harvest. However, planting in well-amended, loose soil, choosing an appropriate variety, and ensuring consistent moisture (without waterlogging) can optimize growth speed and bulb size.