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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23 Aug 17, Lois (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I grow garlic near Mooi River in the Natal Midland [ Dec and Jan ave temps 27 deg and 26 deg C] We have frost in winter. Coldest month is June [ave temp 14 deg C] Should it be grown in tunnels or would shade houses suffice? We sometimes experience hail storms. ]
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19 Aug 17, Charles Schembri (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy garlic for planting.. Would be OK to plant now
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21 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
From the notes on this page. "Garlic is traditionally planted in cold weather and harvest in summer ("plant on the shortest day, harvest on the longest"). Try Tooley Garlic. Google it.
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18 Aug 17, Bec (Australia - arid climate)
Just wondering how often I should water my garlic and how do I know when to harvest? They were planted about 4 days ago and I'm in Perth, Western Australia. Thanks!
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21 Aug 17, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read earlier post today re planting. You need good draining soil. Too wet and it will rot and too dry and will die. I would say you have sandy soil. Try a little water each day. Sandy soil water more regularly than good soil. Bit of trial and error. Google about growing it.
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17 Jul 17, Soola Thoo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can I put garlic gloves into soil in July/august and still be able to get harvest?
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15 Jul 17, Barbara (Australia - temperate climate)
Just wondering if I cut off the green tops for stir fry as suggested it does not hurt the bulbs growing?
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03 Aug 17, Bev (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Your bulb depends on the sugars developed by the leaves - so if you cut the greens to eat you are compromising the bulb. The bulb will still form when its ready, but it will be smaller
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17 Jul 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Maybe try shallots - easy to grow and can grow most of the year.
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15 Jul 17, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
Never had any success growing garlic from supermarket stock despite the shoots being green signalling it's time to plant. I bought 2 rather expensive bulbs and planted out 6 weeks ago. The plants seem to be powering on but I'll see what they look like in December/January. Really hopeful they will work as we consume a lot of garlic...which Woolies and Coles are now selling for $25/kg. Any suggestions as to fertiliser applications, or not, during the growth cycle?
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Showing 411 - 420 of 907 comments
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Thankyou for comments. I am preparing soil now for planting. may be in two to three weeks.Have had to get soil hoed up this year instead of digging up. Much easier.! I have only sold in small amounts this year . Have found if customers buy lots to plant they forget about it or cannot find it amongst weeds etc. Home gardners are better to plant no more than 20 bulbs .They can look after them fertilise etc. They do need care, although easy to grow. They have wonder flavour and do not go off. I market my Garlic for your Good Health and to eat them freshly sliced daily with a biscuit and a little tomato on fresh bread and honey. or toast. Wonderfull.Thats why I call them the "Pearls of Life."

- Barbara Burnet

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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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