When to plant garlic in Athens (United States): 23 October – end of December

In Athens (United States), garlic: plant from 23 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Mary's (farm supply, 11 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Garlic is best planted early in the window: cloves planted late make smaller bulbs. Late planting works only while the soil is not frozen. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least two months average 10 °C or less: the cold garlic needs, one to two months at 0–10 °C (RHS). The two-month threshold is our rule of thumb. Sources: UVM Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Garlic in Athens (United States): soil, season and weather

Garlic goes into the ground in Athens (United States) from 23 October to the end of December; the window opens a month before the first autumn frost. No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 2.4 °C.

Planting	23 October – end of December
First autumn frost	22 November
Coldest nights	January, 2.4 °C
Soil back at 5 °C in spring	already in the first week of January
Harvest (card)	about 8 months after planting: June
Daylight	11:06 on 23 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:53

Garlic in Athens (United States): care after planting

Planted on 23 October: in the first weeks water every 7 days.

Feeding, by the card’s schedule from that day:

23 October — feed: nitrogen
20 November — feed: nitrogen

Pests and diseases of garlic to watch for:

Dates count from the first planting day of the window above; a later planting moves them by as many days.

Garlic in nearby cities

Around Athens (United States), Asheville is 20 days earlier and Macon 9 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Atlanta	96 km	23 October – end of December	same day
Macon	127 km	by 1 November	9 days later
Greenville	135 km	23 October – end of December	same day
Asheville	199 km	3 October – end of December	20 days earlier
Chattanooga	212 km	13 October – end of December	10 days earlier
Columbia	217 km	30 October – end of December	7 days later

Where to buy garlic for planting in Athens (United States)

Planting stock goes into the ground from 23 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Athens (United States) OpenStreetMap lists 1 garden centre, 1 farm-supply shop and 4 markets (collected 28 October 2026).

Achachi International Market — market
South Milledge Avenue 2024, 30605 Athens · 3 km
Orient Mart — market
Gaines School Road 1055, 30605 Athens · 5 km
Athens Farmers Market — market
Sat 08:00–12:00 · 3 km
Mary's — farm supply
Atlanta Highway 4860, 30606 Athens · 11 km

Questions