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

25 Jul 16, Pam (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I am in gauteng - can I still plant garlic in July?
24 Aug 16, Shahn (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
It's not really worth the effort. They should grow, but will form very small bulbs.
26 Jun 16, kevin wang (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Our question is how to enlarge of cultivation?
13 Jun 16, Kobus Alberts (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm unemployed and want to know if I can plant garlic and other herbs in my home garden for selling?
01 Oct 16, May (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If you're planning to sell fresh produce at maybe a market or to restaurants, it would be better (faster) to start with veggies that mature faster, like lettuce and radishes. Garlic takes a long time to mature and they cannot be grown successfully for continued harvest throughout the year. I'd start with lettuce especially, because they can grow and produce for most of the year and restaurants use them daily... Also maybe basil, because it is a popular herb that is bought fresh frequently. When you have that going, you can start with tomatoes, which take a bit longer to harvest, but they are easy to propagate and always in demand. Plan properly and focus on something that is simple, quick and for which you have a market close to home, figure out how to do that well and produce enough to start generating income and you can build it up from there. Good luck! :)
07 Jun 16, Mandlate (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I will like to grow garlic in Mozambique or Mpumalanga Nelspruit.
08 Aug 21, Abdullah imad Abdullah alzoubi (Australia - arid climate)
Please did u plant in Mozambique and If yes can u tell if it's possible
19 May 16, Soola Thoo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I live in Ficksburg in the Free State and would like to grow a garlic garden. When is the best time for me to put into soil and is it advisable to get garlic from our grocery shop?
18 May 16, tracey (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I live in pe. Would garlic grow in beach sand or must i ude potting soil? when is best time to plant. I have some cloves with new shoots i would like to try and cultivate
09 May 16, Anna Lasiuk (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi ,is it ok to plant purple garlic in a pot? Also do I need to keep it protected from frost and what should I feed it? We live in South Hobart Tasmania and the soil is clay Thank you Anna
Showing 481 - 490 of 907 comments

Maybe try shallots - easy to grow and can grow most of the year.

- Mike

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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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