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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14 Nov 14, Janet (Australia - temperate climate)
Am on NSW far south coast. Planted garlic around June and they are starting to brown off now. Any point in leaving them in longer ie waiting till the longest day? Also should I water them at all before harvest?
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27 Sep 14, Glen (Australia - temperate climate)
I live on NSW far south coast, moved there quite recently. I planted garlic as usual at mid-winter, and it was fine for a while, then started looking unwell with some dead leaves. Gave a bit of blood and bone about three weeks ago, and now the lot has died. Disappeared. I've just dug it up, and there were a few small bulbs starting to form. The soil came from a supplier and was a soil and mushroom compost mix. Never had a problem before - dows anyone have any ideas as to what's wrong.
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29 Sep 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Has it been wetter or warmer than usual? Maybe a fungal problem?
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23 Sep 14, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
My garlic plants have been going well in virgin soil. I had netted the plants because they were being eaten by a wallaby, but air was able to circulate very well and plants looked great. Today I decided to water the garlic and was surprised to see trillions of tiny black insects (look like thrips) crawling all over each plant. I hosed off most of the insects but I want to spray to ensure they will not reinfest my plants again. Would it be ok to use soapy water spray or is it best to use pyrethrum at this stage? The plants will be ready to life Nov-Dec.
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11 Sep 14, Robert (Australia - tropical climate)
Could I but a few Australian white garlic seed from you please. Kind regards Robert
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07 Sep 14, Gail (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I panted garlic late April, lovely green foliage, but I check one last week and the bulbs look like spring onions. When will bulbs form? Do I wait for plants to die off
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08 Apr 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
yes and you have to wait a while too.
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07 Sep 14, Sunny (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What is a good crop to plant after I have harvested my garlic? Not all veggies like being planted in soil that has had garlic or onions.
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24 Aug 14, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
I have seen recommendations for planting Garlic up to 8 cm deep. I tried last year with several rows at varying depths.The best were just pushed into the ground and about 1/2 inch of soil on top. Q:- Whats the best fertiliser for garlic and when should it be applied.NPK ratios Pls.
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28 Jun 14, Ash (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I am from Phillip Island and are wondering would there be a problem if I planted garlic 2 weeks after the fall and what type is suggested. Thanks Ash
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Showing 281 - 290 of 577 comments
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Heres an answer for garlic, I grow about 300 plants a year and get good results with about 90% of the cloves coming in at 5cm in diameter plus. Season. Garlic takes up to 9 months to mature. Plant in autumn, late March to May, harvest November to December. Clove selection. Plant only the largest cloves, at least the size of your top thumb joint, I have big hands so I plant cloves 2- 2.5 cm across. Its easy to eat the biggest and the best, its better to plant the biggest and the best. Spacing. I plant 15 - 18 cloves per square metre, 25cm apart in rows 25 cm apart. With 30 cm + paths between 4 rows. It's easy to crowd them, and the yield in terms of weight may be much the same, but bigger garlic are a lot more fun and much easier to use in the kitchen. Sunlight. Whilst garlic can tolerate low sun during the winter months it needs 8 hours direct sunlight during the early and late growth stages. So lots of clear sky when it's maturing, September onwards. If your nutrition is right, (and soil acidity is right) then water could be the problem. While not much water is needed in winter, the ground should be kept moist through the season, especially in spring. A shallow watering is best the roots don't go down more than 30 cm max. Once to twice week during the maturing season. We cant control the weather, but avoid flooding (and applications of nutirients) during the final few weeks to lessen the chance of fungus attacks and sprouting. Garlic likes a moderate amount of lime (dolomite), you can rely on the recommended amount at least two weeks before planting and once every three years. Maturity. Look for tops fading in colour, a weakening of the stem near the base and a flattening of the top of the bulb when (gently) exposed Thats a lot and there's a lot more. It's a labour of love and a lifetime. And I'm sure others will have other suggestions, this is just a framework of what has worked for me. Planting at the moment actually. Regarding shallots most of the above also applies but Im not much of an authority. Shorter season length, but most of the above applies. I plant under the same conditions as garlic but only a few dozen and get good results.

- Ken WIlson

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