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

08 Mar 16, Estelle (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
After planted how long before fully developed
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Approximately 200 days.
03 Mar 16, Greg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can get great fruit n veg stock, lots of great garlic from a nursery at crystal creek near numanba vally . Greg
29 Feb 16, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for your reply Ann - I have been searching the web for a week and I think I have exhausted all the web-sites, including green Harvest. GH have seed but what they have in stock is more suited to cooler winters than we experience here. I have found some Italian Red in the Hunter Valley - but it has sprouted - I guess I'll just have to take the risk and plant it now - at least a month early and hope for cooler weather. Thanks again for taking the time Tony
29 Feb 16, Anne Gibson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tony, I suggest you try Green Harvest online catalogue. Or pick up from Witta (near Maleny) if you're on the Sunshine Coast. They have a mail order supply of garlic from March. March/April is the ideal time for planting in subtropical climate.
29 Feb 16, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi - I am looking to purchase seed garlic. Because I live in sub-tropical Australia, I believe I should grow soft neck garlic such as Southern Glen, GlenLarge or Italian Red. Not interested in Russian (Elephant) garlic.Hoping to buy 1kg. does anybody know of a supplier of seed-stock of any of these? Every supplier I have tried has run out of stock - I have left my enquiry a bit late. Many thanks for any replies.
20 Feb 16, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, We have been growing garlic successfully for years and loving it. When they were harvested this year they were left in the sun to cure and some of them went green. Can I still cook with the green ones or will they be bitter. Cheers, R
09 Feb 16, Johan van der MERWE (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
were can i buy gaint garlic seed I am at Ermelo Mpumalanga South Africa
18 Jan 16, ATHOL HAWKES (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for the basics of Garlic planting on South Coast Natal - hot & humid. What about soil preparation ?, PH ?; Fertilizers etc?.
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Nitrogen. Add cow manure as a side dressing.
Showing 511 - 520 of 907 comments

Thanks for all your help Ms Burnett. Will you add me to your 'sell' list when you are ready to sell seed 'Pearls of Life' garlic? I definately would buy from 20-30. I can look after that many without too many dramas. I am retired and therefore have adequate gardening time on my handss BTW how much do you generally charge? Thanks again. -Fr David S Dampier

- Fr David S Dampier

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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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