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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
02 May 14, Erik (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just bought a couple of whole garlic bulbs can I break into segments now or separate and wait till they start to shoot then plant. Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
13 May 14, innyanga (Australia - temperate climate)
I think most experienced garlic growers will strongly advise you against using store-bought garlic. Garlic imported into Australia is treated with nasty chemicals, and should definitely be avoided. It's difficult to find Australian garlic, and even this will likely have been treated with pesticides. We've been growing garlic for a few years, and cannot imagine not growing it. Not only is it delicious, but it is organic, and always has been. We were fortunate to receive a few heads of prime organic garlic a few years ago, and, on the advice of the sender, planted them all. If you know someone in your area who grows garlic organically, do beg or buy a few heads from them. You'll never look back!
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 14, Bonnie (Australia - temperate climate)
I cheated and bought garlic that was already growing in a little seedling tray. I have no idea of its age but I know its still young. I've never grown garlic before thus why I bought an already sprouting one. but when do I know to harvest it.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 May 14, diane slattery (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The rule of thumb, from a long time garlic grower (and onions) , plant on 22 june, (short day of the year) harvest 22 dec (longest day of the year. Diane
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Apr 14, David Lines (Australia - temperate climate)
I plant 12 cloves of the russian variety every year, this give me enough garlic to do our family for a full year,
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Mar 14, Bongani Miya (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where do I get seeds for garlic
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Mar 14, fleur (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
living seeds. look online. or at nurseries in section with bulbs
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Mar 14, R Craig (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Garlic bought is supermarkets is usually imported from China, and has been irradiated and will not grow, have tried without success. Found nursery near Montecasino in Sandton, owner of which grew garlic at home and sold the excess, he told me about this. Best places to look are nurseries or small greengrocers.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 14, ron (Australia - arid climate)
i ahve grown garlic successfully in emerald Qld so the only way that you will realy know if you can grow garlic is to give it a go, happy gardening Rachel
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Mar 14, Saron (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have 4 fat garlic cloves on my window sill, one of them looks like it's about to shoot, can i plant them now or wait for shoots.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 581 - 590 of 907 comments
See comments for all plants

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

- Mike

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.