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 10°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 10 - 12 cm 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A cool dry place.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Jul 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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 ?
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Jul 23, (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Softneck garlic has leaves that remain soft and flexible even when mature, while hardneck garlic typically has thicker and more brittle skin. Softneck garlic, which is often found in grocery stores due to its longer shelf life and mild flavor, is a preferred choice for most recipes. In the tropics, it is advisable to grow softneck garlic as it tends to perform better in warmer weather conditions.
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jun 23, Thomas (USA - Zone 7b climate)
If I plant garlic cloves in August in Zone 7B when would they be ready to harvest?
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jun 23, (USA - Zone 7a climate)
They should take 17-25 weeks before they're ready to harvest
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jun 23, Allan (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow Garlic next to Onions.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jun 23, (Australia - tropical climate)
Onion, garlic, shallots, and leeks are all vulnerable to onion maggots, so they don't make good companion plants for each other. These maggots can easily move from plant to plant, causing significant damage. To prevent their spread, it's best to plant these allium plants far apart from each other.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 31 - 40 of 901 comments
See comments for all plants

I have been growing garlic in north east Victoria for 15years. I grow new Zealand purple and also Russian. I love the flavour of NZ purple and I love the size of the Russian for using in making tomato sauce as it is so big sometimes you only need one clove.So much easier to chop than the other. Nearly every year I get caught with November rain just when I am ready to harvest and lose three quarters of my crop but I think this year I've got it right. I used to grow huge quatities for years but noone ever wanted it so now I am down to just enough for the family.I jar a lot of it in good cold pressed olive oil to have lots for over winter. Any advice needed I'm more than happy to reply cheers chris.

- christine bryant

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.