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

13 Jul 11, (Australia - arid climate)
If you have divided the bulb into cloves, plant in the ground with the pointy end upwards about 10 mm from the surface. Bruce
11 Jul 11, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
Trying my first lot of garlic; russian and another darker organic one. Do I need to do anything to the cloves before I plant them?
01 Jul 11, Cygnetian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I heard an interesting-sounding garlic-growing tip recently (unfortunately just too late for my plantings this year), which was to *not* firm down the soil/compost (or whatever you plant them in) at all, the idea being that the bulbs will grow bigger that way since they *(& their roots, I guess) aren't tightly packed into the growing medium.
14 Jul 11, sara drummond (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted some in June but I aim to put some more in. bought the purple argentinean pack from safeways I know it mid July but I will give them a go today and see what happens in Novemver/December I will take your idea on board to keep the soil cover loose ... having fun in the garden sara
17 May 11, Greg (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted three varieties of garlic about four weeks ago, including the (large) Russian garlic variety. The other two all came up after about two weeks, but not a single sign of the Russian has come up. Does it normally take longer to come up or have I got a dud batch?
02 Jun 11, Greg (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks all - you were on the money. They've just started to poke their heads up!
02 Jun 11, pete (Australia - temperate climate)
eh Greg, I had the same deal. the russians are comming through now after six weeks. Seems a week of frosts spurred them on.
02 Jun 11, James (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Greg, dont worry about the russian garlic, it will shoot up. Some take a little longer, some come up straight away. Youll find that they really like full sun - if they have shade during the day they will take a little longer to come up. If you have planted the bulbins (little nut like seed) they will probably not show until early spring, cheers
17 May 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
If you want to grow imported garlic purchased from a super market pick out a nice bulb feel around the cloves near the to top, if there is a slight swelling thats the one you want to buy.Get a small con.that will hold water 5mil deep quarter teaspoon thrive or seasol.leave for about three days.plant out 50mil deep.after 2 weeks my plants are now 80 ml high.
24 May 11, Phe (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks, I'm going to try this.
Showing 391 - 400 of 577 comments

If you had looked up Garlic for your CLIMATE ZONE 10a you would see that they do not recommend any planting time. You don't have the climate for it, is what that says.

- Anonymous

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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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