A controller of a non-volatile memory tracks identifiers of logical erase blocks (LEBs) for which programming has closed. A first subset of the closed LEBs tracks LEBs that are ineligible for selection for garbage collection, and a second subset of the closed LEBs tracks LEBs that are eligible for selection for garbage collection. The controller continuously migrates closed LEBs from the first subset to the second subset over time. In response to closing a particular LEB, the controller places an identifier of the particular LEB into one of the first and second subsets selected based on a first amount of dummy data programmed into the closed LEBs tracked in the first subset. Thereafter, in response to selection of the particular LEB for garbage collection, the controller performs garbage collection on the particular LEB.