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
10 May 12, Michele Dorey (Australia - tropical climate)
As we are going into winter without barely any rainfall how often should I water my garlic I've planted them in today. Thanking you
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Apr 12, Dave Taylor (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I've just moved to Brisbane from the UK (where I left a healthy crop including Elephant, Albigensian, Solent and Lautrec White growing on my allotment) and I'm just starting a veg bed here. Where is the best place to get my seed garlic and do you get different varieties or should I just buy a bulb of Australian garlic and plant the cloves?
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jun 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Supermarkets recently had 'Australian-grown' garlic labelled as 'suitable for planting'
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 12, janama (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dave - I bought Australian grown garlic from the local supermarket and all have sprouted. I noticed it didn't seem to matter what size the cloves were as the small ones sprouted just as well as the large ones. As I mentioned before some of the Chinese and Mexican garlic won't sprout.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jun 12, selena (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
the imported garlic is treated with a chemical that retards sprouting. - all the more reason to grow your own.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 May 12, Tim (Australia - temperate climate)
Diggers Club have a comprehensive range Garlic varieties including early and late.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Apr 12, janama (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Kate - where did you get the cloves? Some of the imported garlic has been irradiated so it won't sprout. The best bet is to get Aussie grown garlic bulbs .
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Apr 12, kate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have planted 20 cloves of garlic and only 3 have come up? Can anyone tell me why I only got 3 out of of 20 cloves to shoot? Very odd.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Apr 12, janama (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tonight, at the height of the Virgo Moon (earth sign) in the third quarter (root crops) I planted over 50 garlic cloves into soil fortified with composted cane mulch and cow poo. They were aussie grown garlic cloves.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Mar 12, kylie (Australia - temperate climate)
hi I was wondering what the best soil conditions are and can i plant AFTER a crop of tomatoes has been in?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 671 - 680 of 908 comments
See comments for all plants

Thankyou for comments. I am preparing soil now for planting. may be in two to three weeks.Have had to get soil hoed up this year instead of digging up. Much easier.! I have only sold in small amounts this year . Have found if customers buy lots to plant they forget about it or cannot find it amongst weeds etc. Home gardners are better to plant no more than 20 bulbs .They can look after them fertilise etc. They do need care, although easy to grow. They have wonder flavour and do not go off. I market my Garlic for your Good Health and to eat them freshly sliced daily with a biscuit and a little tomato on fresh bread and honey. or toast. Wonderfull.Thats why I call them the "Pearls of Life."

- Barbara Burnet

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.