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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20 May 10, Lesley White (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The Food Co-op in Penny Lane off Katoomba St in Katoomba Sells organic produce including local garlic, I have planted it in my own Garden with great success. Cheers, Lesley.
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06 Feb 11, jen (Australia - temperate climate)
The kids at Katoomba High School also grow garlic to sell as a fundraiser. Contact the school.
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03 May 10, Kim (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, just bought purple aswell as elephant garlic to plant. Apparently you shouldn't use a nitrogen rich seaweed fertilizer, but to use a pure seaweed fertilizer. Is this true? And I was told cow manure is better to use as it breaks down quicker than sheep manure? Thanks in advance!
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02 May 10, peter h (Australia - temperate climate)
garlic suppliers - perth and south west LOCALLY GROWN GARLIC OUTLETS IN ALBANY WA Farmers Fresh Markets - at least three stalls AVeg - Sanford Road Reeves on Campbell - 27 Campbell Road. Solomon Merchants - Stirling St. LOCALLY GROWN GARLIC OUTLETS IN KALAMUNDA WA Delish - Kalamunda Shopping Centre NORTH PERTH: ORGANIC ON CHARLES, Charles St North Perth, just before Scarborough Beach Road.
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29 Apr 10, Michele (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown three crops of garlic, the first small but very tasty - laster about 3 months, well worth the initial investment.. It's best to use the largest cloves so you get a larger bulb. Make sure you have rich organic compost. This year I bought about 2 kilos of the best organic elephant garlic from my local food coop. It was grown locally so I expect it will be happy here. To save money plant it in a community garden with a group of people and share the cost and the yield.
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15 Apr 10, emily (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i like to grow garlic but i don't know when is the right time because i live in melbourne.
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29 Apr 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Emily, you can plant garlic in Melbourne from late autumn into winter.
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15 Apr 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
@daga, anytime from late autumn into winter is ok for planting garlic in Melbourne. They need a winter chill to get started.
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08 Apr 10, Raji (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted organic garlic cloves which started to grow in the basket last year around June 22nd and harvested a healthy crop around December. Make sure the garlic cloves are from Australia and not imported - even better if it is organic.
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06 Apr 10, daga (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i want to plant garlic now'. Is it right time? Pl advice. I am in melbourne.can i plant same bulb we used daily or can get seeds for this. Thanks
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Ok In Canberra, due to the late summer season here I have run out of space to plant out my garlic this month. Can you plant them out in seedling trays and transfer them later on? Or as the are a root crop like carrots do they not respond well to transplanting?

- Ian Cummings

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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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