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

16 Apr 16, Jen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to know which varieties of garlic are suitable to grow in Brisbane and where I could purchase them. Any advice would be really appreciated.
02 May 16, Brooke (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Jen, Elephant garlic will grow well. It is not as strong as the other smaller garlics, but you should find success. Be sure to mound up so you can ensure drainage and control water to them. Space 20cm apart in rich soil. Good luck
01 May 16, Grace (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Jen, I am from Brisbane and have just planted my garlic. This will be my 3rd year. I bought some organic garlic from the Lawnton Market and kept some from previous years to grow again. I plant it late April/early May and harvest around late Sept/early Oct. I grew the white garlic variety as shown in picutre shown above.
13 Apr 16, Barbara (Australia - temperate climate)
can you plant garlic in pots?
15 Apr 16, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes, you can Barbara, .... for extra bulbs I have always planted about extra cloves, and found that 6 cloves planted into a large HDPE pot the largest I have are 420 mm 42 cm wide, and with mulch over the top and a good base of a mix of animal manures all goes well. We are in our cool climate though....good especially if people are renting OR planning on moving within the year... Happy gardening Jen cool climate
12 Apr 16, Cassie (Australia - arid climate)
Noooo Gearge! The rough bottom is the root plate where the clove will grow new roots from so it won't help to damage it.
08 Apr 16, George (Australia - temperate climate)
Does it help speed up growth from the seed if the firm base is roughened up of cut off?
23 Mar 16, Lesley Wickham (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is it important to grow garlic in fresh ground each year or can I use the same bed as last time?
26 Mar 16, Len. (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow garlic in the same spot. Before planting each year, I add compost and a small amount of well rotted animal manure. Mix it in well and to date have had very good results.
24 Mar 16, Alan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Lesley, Garlic has a very long growing season (longest day to shortest day) so we prefer not to grow it in our normal garden beds since it invariably gets in the way of further plantings so we plant them all around the ornamentals in the front garden as a border & we do this year after year without effecting the yield or quality. Regards, Al.
Showing 251 - 260 of 577 comments

What fertilizer can I use to grow garlic. I use very old manure and 323 fertilizer.

- danie van niekerk

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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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