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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27 Nov 13, sandy O'Brien (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
beautiful huge flowers on garlic, when do i harvest ?
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21 Nov 13, jo (Australia - temperate climate)
hi all, My Garlic (planted in late may) is throwing out flower stems which I keep snapping off, hoping that it will redirect energy into making big fat bulbs - is this the right thing to do ? when do I harvest it ? thanks Jo
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27 Apr 14, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
It is not entirely necessary to snap off the flower stems - called scapes - some people do as they claim it makes the garlic store longer, others think it makes no difference. Either way, they are delicious eating, toss them in a stir fry, or stem them and eat like a vegetable with a dob of butter. The garlic flavour mellows out well when cooked!
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09 Nov 13, Karen (Australia - temperate climate)
I have always grown my garlic from bulbs. Can you tell me if there is also good success rate growing from seed? If I collect the seed what time of year would you start to germinate.
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18 Nov 13, Bill (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It is really hard growing from seed. You should not try it. You should leave it to the experts who know what they are doing. Thanks
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08 Nov 13, joseph mastropaolo (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in north qld where tempretures get quit warm is there a variaty that will grow in hotter climate. We do not get a lot of cold weather also. I am growing some garlic this year but it seems to only be growing one bulb and not making clover
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30 Oct 13, Susie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can you tell me about the tiny, hard growths forming on the outside of the garlic bulbs just harvested? They seem to be the beginnings of new bulbs attaching to the existing bulbs.
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19 Oct 13, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Garlic cloves were planted late March early April due the very wet soil. Location Killivan Qld . Wondering why No flowers have appeared yet. Usually harvest in November.
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17 Aug 13, fred (Australia - tropical climate)
what is the best variety of garlic to grow in NQLD for commercial production
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29 Oct 13, allen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i grow purple stripe at childers qld i have found it easy to grow.harvesting late aug.i have 50000 seed to plant this year. allen
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Showing 311 - 320 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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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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