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

21 Jul 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The cloves should be planted unpeeled - just split the head of garlic apart.
20 Jul 13, Andres (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Melissa, the answer is no, don't peel the garlic clove before planting, after breaking it off from the big clove just put it straight into your pot or garden, just remember to put its tip pointing up, it should be watered regularly, I usually water it at least every other day and is growing beautifully, hope this helps!
17 Jul 13, Tony Smith (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I live in Malalane, east of Nelspruit and would like to know the following. A lot of the soil here is very clay, is this ok for garlic and what type of soil is best for garlic? Is the climate here suitable for it and what would be the best times to plant? Regards Tony
02 Jul 13, Mehmet Kolgu (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi There which vegies likes the chicken poo ???
01 Jul 13, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Providing the right nutrients is vitally important in order to maximise plant growth and yield.
25 Jun 13, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I want to start garlic farming. I live in Cato Ridge. KZN. Where in or near this area can I get good quality garlic to plant. I live in a valley which gets quite cold during from julne onwards
28 Sep 13, Chantel Fourie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You can order online from Livingseeds.co.za
03 Nov 13, Shumani (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have loose garlic cloves for sale. Where can I sell these?
02 Jun 13, Darren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You mentioned using the shoots,but how does that effect the bulb?
02 Jun 13, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello there, can anyone tell me if I can use cloves from garlic that has been sitting inside my fridge to plant them? Im new to this but would like to start growing my own garlic as I eat it a lot, thanks heaps!
Showing 631 - 640 of 917 comments

I have been growing garlic in north east Victoria for 15years. I grow new Zealand purple and also Russian. I love the flavour of NZ purple and I love the size of the Russian for using in making tomato sauce as it is so big sometimes you only need one clove.So much easier to chop than the other. Nearly every year I get caught with November rain just when I am ready to harvest and lose three quarters of my crop but I think this year I've got it right. I used to grow huge quatities for years but noone ever wanted it so now I am down to just enough for the family.I jar a lot of it in good cold pressed olive oil to have lots for over winter. Any advice needed I'm more than happy to reply cheers chris.

- christine bryant

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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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