Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P    

(Best months for growing Garlic in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant cloves

September: Garlic can overwinter. Cover with a good layer of mulch . In areas where frost persists into March/ April, expect to harvest your garlic in June/July.

October: Garlic can overwinter. Cover with a good layer of mulch . In areas where frost persists into March/ April, expect to harvest your garlic in June/July.

  • Easy to grow. Plant cloves. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 5 inches apart
  • Harvest in 17-25 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beets, Carrots, Cucumbers, Dill, Tomatoes, Parsnips
  • Avoid growing close to: Asparagus, Beans, Brassicas, Peas, Potatoes

Your comments and tips

14 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes
01 Sep 23, Patty Johnson (USA - Zone 10b climate)
What variety of garlic will grow best in Zones 10 A/B? Hardneck/softneck, etc. there are so many varieties to choose from. Thx
01 Sep 23, Isaac Sieberts (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Which province in southafrica is the best to plant garlic
31 Aug 23, Ray wales (Australia - temperate climate)
How to store garlic after digging up.some of mine went soft.some started to sprout after a few months?.
28 Oct 23, Kelvan.......Margaret River wa (Australia - temperate climate)
I store my garlic in an onion bag and hang it up inside the shed.
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A cool dry place.
12 Jul 23, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I live just west of Toowoomba. I found a head of garlic in my fridge that is shooting all over the place! Is it ok to plant the cloves now?
17 Jul 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes
06 Jul 23, Pitso Maseko (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What type of soil is suitable for growing a garlic ? Between hard neck and soft neck which test best?
03 Jul 23, Fezeka (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi there. I'm interested in planting Garlic. What is the differences between hardneck and softneck garlic ? What variety / cultivar is best for sub-tropical and summer rainfall areas ?
Showing 31 - 40 of 906 comments

It's best to plant hardneck garlic in zone 6B from the middle to late October or even early November. The key is you want it to be cold, consistently below 45°, at least every night time. The first freezing encounter triggers garlic to start producing roots and that would determine how healthy and large the plants grow. Keep in mind freezing above ground may not equal freezing below ground. If you plant it in too warm a time, like early October, it may stunt the growth. It may even rot the garlic if it's wet too long. You may be able to accelerate the process by keeping in the refrigerator for a few weeks I'm not even know people who have kept it in the freezer for a few days or longer hopefully triggering root growth. I haven't tried that so I don't know.

- Rich

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.