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 - temperate 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
11 Dec 17, Phillip green (Australia - temperate climate)
Where on central coast can I buy garlic bulbs to plant?
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Mar 18, Scott (Australia - temperate climate)
Try bunnings or any good nursery. DON'T use garlic from the supermarket as a lot tend to be imported from China and spread disease into the soil. Good luck and happy gardening!
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
From any shop that sells them - supermarkets etc. Plant around June.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 17, Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have recently harvested my garlic and was wondering if it is possible to freeze at least 2 bulbs to plant again next year?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would just let them dry out for a week or so and then store in a cool dry area.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Dec 17, Marilyn Mortlock (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it possible to plant garlic in December in Sydney?
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
You sure can plant it now - it just might not grow too well, or not at all. If you read the above about garlic it says plant April to July. There is a reason for that - it is the best time to do it.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Nov 17, Thakasile Hlophe (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Is possible to plant garlic in Ladysmith Kwa Zulu Natal and if possible when is the right time or season
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Nov 17, Manju Campbell (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I planted garlic in may and it was so healthy up October and now it get a rust will you please let me know when is the harvesting season .or what shall I do
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Nov 17, Joe (Australia - temperate climate)
My wife planted garlic late october in frankston victoria will it mature or should we dig it up and wait till april. Thx
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 391 - 400 of 915 comments
See comments for all plants

my Zone 10A garlic, all in rectangular containers 24" length x 7.5" width, x 6.5" height, is sprouting well also, with some shoots up to about two inches. I had several garlic bulbs I intentionally kept in my refrigerator for a couple months, divided them into cloves, peeled them to avoid mold and decay, and kept the separated cloves open to the light at room temperature until they started sprouting. When the majority had tiny green shoots, I selected the best cloves (solid, no spongy or discolored parts) and planted them shallow with the very top of the clove showing as per advice from an internet container gardening site. I am really being careful not to overwater and it looks like all the cloves sprouted green shoots, but after a couple weeks I did have birds pull up maybe eight out of thirty or so of the newly sprouted cloves, so I replanted the missing ones with a more cloves, then added about an inch more soil over the top, and so far the birds have not raided again with the cloves now about two inches deep. Lesson learned: the internet advice for container gardening to plant the cloves with the tip showing is an invitation to be raided by birds. Solution: plant deeper, maybe two inches below the soil surface, even in shallow containers.

- Dave in California Zone 10A

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.