Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Garlic in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Plant cloves
  • 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

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06 Aug 22, R Hulse (USA - Zone 7b climate)
There are several types of garlic, but the main two are hardneck and softneck. Hardneck is for colder climates and softneck is for warmer climates. Not sure about elephant garlic or any of the others but you can search the internet to find out what zones they grow best in.
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03 Aug 22, Jeanette (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I ask if I plant the galic now is a problem or what's time which season I must plant the the galic?
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13 Aug 22, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Mid Autumn - late March, April, early May. Harvest in November here in South Australia.
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21 Jul 22, mini me (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I get my elephant garlic cloves started in egg trays, with a little water in the bottom . too get them to start rooting before i plant them. Its Way quicker then the fridge method. Also nothing worse then planting a garlic clove that wont root. This method works for me ,so i will continue to do it :)
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09 Jul 22, Terry Scott (USA - Zone 3b climate)
I'm confused, nothing is said about over wintering for garlic, I live in zone 3b. Can I do all the above prep and cover with hay in my plot?
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03 Jul 22, Rhonda Bowen (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Just to clarify what I think I understand…. If I buy one bulb of garlic and break it apart into individual cloves, I plant each clove and expect to get a growing bulb. Am I one the right track here?
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05 Jul 22, (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Yes one clove will then grow and produce a new clump of cloves.
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28 Jun 22, Geoffrey Page (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you grow garlic up in the northern Territory
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15 Jun 22, steven witzer (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Can I grow music garlic in zone 6b, and what if I am sent the garlic too early?
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17 Jun 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Check the planting times here for garlic.
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Showing 131 - 140 of 915 comments
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Hi Kelvan, I haven't had the sprouting problem but after 30 years of growing garlic I have just harvested the worst crop I have ever had, but having talked to fellow growers, they also have experienced lesser quality garlic and some premature sprouting as well. It is worth noting that we have experienced colder temperatures this springtime and below 15 degrees celsius soil temperature whilst bulbing will induce early sprouting. On numerous occasions I have placed garlic in the refrigerator in February to bring on earlier sprouting. I usually plant over 500 cloves each year and some years over 5000 and give the garlic away to people who can't afford the ridiculous retail prices. Of course also to replace the weak quality, low pungency Chinese garlic. I am a great believer in planetry positioning within the universe, it has a large effect on weather and all forms of life and will certainly effect all growth and evolutionary factors. Perhaps next year will be a better one or we might have to plant later as it appears the planet is cooling.

- Ric

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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.
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