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

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21 Feb 22, Erika (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I agree Glen Large are the best variety for the subtropics. I'm just north of Brisbane and get amazing harvest if I plant and harvest at the right time. I bought Mine from Green Harvest. They include all the detail on how to grow. (https://greenharvest.com.au/)
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09 Apr 22, Gary Hall (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thankyou Erica
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28 Dec 21, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
It's too hot for them to grow in summer. Try growing garlic in Autumn and harvest around Oct-November
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08 Nov 21, Green thumb (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, What’s the best way to store garlic, if you have some bulbs now in summer given to you , till your ready to plant on shortest day ? Thanks for the replies
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10 Nov 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dry them out in the sun/shade for two weeks. Then in a cool dry place in a tray, spread them out a bit.
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04 Nov 21, Melinda Horsey (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What about growing elephant garlic in zine 9b? Is it the same as regular garlic?
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08 Oct 21, Rich (USA - Zone 6b climate)
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.
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07 Oct 21, Myrna (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I have success in planting from October 1 up until Early Dec….harvesting late May through July. Nice large bulbs in Zone 7b, getting close to 8a.
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08 Mar 22, Miriam Rodriguez (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Hi, thank you for your comment. What type of garlic do you grow? Can you send me some advise on how you grow it including fertilizers that you use etc? I am growing in zone 8a. Thank you so much, Miriam.
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17 May 22, Cynthia (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Hey Miriam I'm in zone 8A and I grow Purple Glazer, Italian Mountain Red and Inchelium Red in my raised garden beds. I plant anytime from 10/15 until Halloween. I havent used fertilizer in the past so I cant comment on that. However if you live in SC, Clemson Coop Esxtension has a great site for information on growing all sorts of veggies. I usually start harvesting late May till Mid June (my neighbor said to harvest when half of the leaves have turned yellow/brown. Hope this helps and good luck with growing garlic for next year
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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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