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

06 Nov 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I don't grow it. You don't mention when you planted it etc. Maybe the hail (rain and N in the hail) gave the crop a boost and the plants started shooting. Maybe harvest it and see what you can save for bulbs for next year. I would say you need some kind of bulb (maybe even small) to be able to grow from next year.
29 Oct 18, Vassana (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my turban garlic in April it grew well looking healthy plants, until August my plants getting yellow maybe lack of water so I water them and put seasol as well the plant started looks healthy again. Last week I pulled some out and the bulb just looks like an onion and the leaf just thick like leek and they are not forming cloves. Do you have any Idea why this is happening? my location its South East QLD. between Maryborough and Gympie
30 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here - I would plant it later like it says - shortest day - 21st June into well prepared soil. Water regularly but not too much especially in winter. Yellow leaves could be the soil running out of N. I had leeks a bit similar this year.
15 Oct 18, Susan harrer (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Do you plant elephant garlic the same time and way as regular garlic ? Is elephant garlic is actually leeks ?
25 Oct 18, Silke Wolf (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I have just tried planting elephant garlic, Oct 1. I have seen nothing sprouting as of yet. I did plant regular store bought garlic on sept 15th and that has jumped up and sprouted and grown like crazy within a week! So, Im a tad disappointed in the elephant garlic.
09 Oct 18, margaret nunns (Australia - temperate climate)
we want to know how to grow black garlic
09 Oct 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Black garlic Black garlic is a type of aged garlic which is attributed to be browned by the Maillard reaction rather than caramelized, first used as a food ingredient in Asian cuisine. It is made by heating whole bulbs of garlic over the course of several weeks, a process that results in black cloves. The taste is sweet and syrupy with hints of balsamic vinegar or tamarind. See more online
08 Oct 18, Amanda (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can i plant in December am from Mpumalanga
24 Oct 18, Christo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Rather not it is to hot that time of year best to start planting between Feb and Apr.
14 Sep 18, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a garlic that has green shoots coming out of each clove. Is it still possible to plant the cloves now in the South West of WA? Thanks
Showing 331 - 340 of 913 comments

what time of the year can I plant garlic, on an island in a river (murray) by the sea (goolwa) and how do I get started?

- jane

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.