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

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02 Mar 23, Aggie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi live in South Australia when is the best time to plant my Garlic
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03 Mar 23, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Check the guide in the garlic section for your climate.
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02 Mar 23, Elizabeth (Australia - temperate climate)
new to growing garlic. do I fertilise the soil prior or is it not necessary ? thank you =)
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03 Mar 23, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Depends on the quality of your soil now. If fairly rich no need for it. Or let them grow to say 15cm and if looking a bit weak give some fertiliser. A clinched handfull to 8-10l of water.
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10 Feb 23, Jorel Neville (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Which is best, hard neck or soft neck in zone 7b? Charlotte area
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29 Jan 23, marco (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i am getting my beds ready for my garlic crop .i live on the gold coast Queensland .i will be planting first week of march .i am after glen large garlic .has anyone have any idea whare i can pick some up without the postage costs ...
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12 Feb 23, marco (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i went to the farmers markets local ....some stall holders just sell !!! they do not know too much about the product they sell ...i did eventually find a market Gardner grower and we started chatting on garlic .....so i ended up buying italian purple garlic because they have their plot not too far from my local area. nice !! ....elephant garlic is a leek family ..so i picked up them too ....any way if u want to grow local it is worth the trouble to chat with people .at the end the outcome is greater reward when you go home with what u want ...ps,i also ended up with tomato from italy ...so i dry them use the seed ....they smell fantastic ....
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27 Jan 23, Michelle (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I have some German garlic that I really need to plant. Is it too late to plant it in a raised bed in my Zone 7a right now? Still have about 8 to 10 weeks of 20 to 30 degree nights ahead. Thanks!
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07 Jan 23, Alan Kuchas (USA - Zone 3b climate)
I’m in zone 3a-3b. In your note for planting garlic , it suggest planting in APRIL? I always plant in October for next years harvest in aug-Sept. if I plant in April will I get bulbs in the Fall?
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23 Jan 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Have read, plant in the shortest daylight hours and harvest in the longest hrs of sunlight.
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Showing 71 - 80 of 907 comments
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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

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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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