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

02 Nov 19, Angela Schreiber (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello. Our purple garlic is out of the ground. We tie them in bunches with dead stems intact . We take the roots off them. Question: the shed they are suspended in has a moist atmosphere due to the rain today. It has a dirt floor and no doors.Will this moisture cause them to rot or make them susceptible to pests or mites. We have about 800. Thankyou
04 Nov 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My experience is with shallot bulbs. I just keep them loose in a pot tray/dish drying tray about 2-3 (??)
28 Oct 19, Coco (Australia - temperate climate)
I am western Australia perth . I would like to ask you about garlic . Can it be planted in early or mid December, would it still grow to its full potential if planted around that time.thank you very much.
29 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This is the way I see it. They recommend planting May to July for temperate - Perth. The reason is, this is when you will have the best results. Now if you go and plant it in Oct/Nov you will probably produce a smaller crop or no crop. You have to look at your local conditions also. It is like if a seed requires 20 degrees soil temp to germinate why plant it when it is 15 degrees.
06 Sep 19, Suzanne Lee (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have garlic growing for the first time, they are lovely and green but i don't want to over or under water them. Can you give me some guide lines please. I have a dripper system with these, but wonder if that is giving the required amount or what is the optimum system and how much water, for garlic. I have no idea if they are hard or soft necked garlic! They were purchased from an organic grower but i didn't ask what style they are.
09 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Stick your finger in the soil, down about 3-4 cm
01 Sep 19, Meredith (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I plant garlic every year, but it never goes to seed. Can you please advise on a fertilizing schedule please. I always plant before the first full moon in April. I have trouble getting it to keep all year through after its picked, dried and hung and wonder if this is because it didn't go to seed? Any how would be appreciated.
04 Sep 19, TempestSkye (Australia - temperate climate)
The issue you're experiencing is more likely due to the type of garlic you are growing than anything you're doing. Garlic is generally split into two categories: hard neck and soft neck. Your planting times are perfectly fine for an Australian temperate climate. The old sayings about planting on shortest day and harvesting on the longest actually comes from the northern hemisphere and aren't optimal for most Australian climates. I follow the advice of Penny Woodward, who has literally written the book on garlic in Australia. https://www.pennywoodward.com.au/garlic-plant-it-now/ If you read the link above, it explains that hard neck varieties of garlic don't last as long, whereas soft neck garlic varieties tend to keep better.
17 Sep 19, Meredith (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you for the tips
05 Sep 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for the tip on shortest / longest day stuff. How do you distinguish between a soft and hard neck? I looked up a website and all they had was a white bulb and a light purple bulb.
Showing 101 - 110 of 577 comments

I have just purchased some garlic which is sprouting shoots. As it is december in Brisbane, is there any point in planting these cloves?

- Keith Moses

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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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