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

20 Sep 12, melinda (Australia - tropical climate)
O.K. It seems too hot to plant garlic in Nth Qld now,How do I store it untill planting time,as I have Aussie garlic and other gloves that I want to plant,but not at the wrong time of the year,which it seems is now ? and they are fresh however have been kept in the fridge for a few weeks? Thankyou, mel.
13 Dec 12, Karen (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, I live on the Atherton Tablelands and have just successfully grown garlic this year. You need to plant after the worst of the wet (March) and harvest at the start of the next one (Dec) for elephant garlic. Had another variety (unknown) that was ready to harvest in October. I may try the polystyrene trays undercover to avoid too much wet this time.
13 Jul 12, DARREN (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to know if anyone on this forum has grown elephant garlic in pots
04 Sep 12, Ron (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Darren, I am currently growing Russian/Elephant Garlic in Styrofoam box's and the stems are about 4 foot high, planted in April this year, sooooo, they should grow in pots as long as the pots are deep enough. I live on the west coast of Tassie if that's of any use.
14 Jun 12, Trevor (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Garlic is frost resistent, loves the cool / cold weather. Lime the soil prior to planting, do not fertilse & stop watering 1 month before harvest Good luck
12 Jun 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
March 20 this year l planted 200 Tasmanian purple organic Garlic, using my own stock from last year. (I have done this for 4 years now) This seasons the leaves are yellowing. Rainfall has been normal. Note that I grew letuce,tomato & cabbage in the bed last season, and used my own COF, limed 2 weeks prior to planting. This year I mulched with sugar cane, could it beth mulch or is this a deficiantcy of some sort?
18 May 12, Des Hoyle, Kingaroy , Queensland. (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to receive any horticultural advise on growing Australian Garlic in Kingaroy, Q,land, where the temperature gets down to a minus,degree, with frosts.as a result. Am looking forward to a reply.
22 May 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Galic is ok with frost. I plant mid-winter, then harvest in summer.
12 May 12, Ray (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
If you plant any old variety it may take a few years to acclimatise to Brisabane's warmish winters. If you're interested in organic gardening, join BOGI (Brisabane Organic Growers Inc.).
10 May 12, Michele Dorey (Australia - tropical climate)
As we are going into winter without barely any rainfall how often should I water my garlic I've planted them in today. Thanking you
Showing 351 - 360 of 577 comments

Dry them out in the sun/shade for two weeks. Then in a cool dry place in a tray, spread them out a bit.

- Anonymous

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.