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 5b 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 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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17 Jun 17, Beverly Hartman (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where in SA can garlic bulbs for planting be bought in bulk?
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12 Jun 17, Jan van der Merwe (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi I am farming in Montagu western cape. Can someone please advise me whether garlic could be grown in this area and if so can i still plant for the curent season.
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08 Jun 17, faye kutt (Australia - temperate climate)
Which end of the garlic do we put in ground. Cheers
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08 Jun 17, Giovanni (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant garlic with the pointed end up and the flat 'stub' end down
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08 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The one with a bit of a butt or root looking area. Look at a clump of garlic and you will work it out.
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17 Jun 17, Joanne (Australia - temperate climate)
I managed to plant some upside down. They still grew.
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07 Jun 17, Tony Baker (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my elephant garlic on the 21st April, a bit late this year and it is i going great never have a problem with it. I usually plant it on the shortest day of the year and pull it out on the longest day of the year. Good Luck
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14 May 17, liz (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
how deep do i plant the garlic bulb - do i start it off first trying to get some roots developing or do i just plant a clove at whatever depth they require - thanks
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15 May 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
I normally plant mine point end up about 25-30 mm below the surface. They can take a while to come up just like other bulbs such as daffodils.
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17 May 17, Tony Robinson (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I live just out of Dunedin where we get frosts and occasional snow storms, our winters could be classed as severe. Garlic is similar to shallots in that it was regarded years ago to plant both shallots and garlic on the shortest day (June 21st.) and harvest on the longest day (December 21st) How-ever I now plant my garlic at intervals from early May through to mid August with great results. I always plant my clove straight into the ground with the top about half an inch below the surface. Space your cloves about six inches apart, the best of luck with your future plantings. Tony
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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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