Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P P            

(Best months for growing Garlic in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Plant cloves
  • 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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19 Sep 22, (Australia - tropical climate)
They say plant shortest day and harvest longest day. Maybe sub-tropical plant late April to June. Plants don't grow much in July August - weather cold)
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28 Jun 22, Geoffrey Page (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you grow garlic up in the northern Territory
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12 Apr 22, Barbara White (Australia - tropical climate)
I want to try growing garlic in the tropics what type would you recommend
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13 Apr 22, Bury (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Glenlarge and Italian Pink
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04 Apr 22, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
For a number of years now in Melbourne, we have been planting Garlic near the shortest day and harvesting near to the longest day of the year. So far all OK.
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15 Mar 22, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
I've tried to grow garlic for a couple of years now without much success. My last crop grown from store bought organic garlic, only had one large bulb. Is garlic a heavy feeder? What is the best way to prepare the bed for them?
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20 Mar 22, Melanie L Schoen (Australia - arid climate)
Sometimes store bought garlic is treated with a chemical that deters it from sprouting. Can you get it from a local supplier? Organic?
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17 Mar 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It does not require a lot of nitrogen - just good friable soil with a little fertiliser.
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25 Feb 22, Beverley (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I would like to know the best varieties to plant for my conditions. Thank you
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04 Mar 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do some research of varieties - there wouldn't be that much difference.
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Showing 41 - 50 of 577 comments
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Lucky for you, you're in the same climate zone as the famous garlic producing town of Gilroy, CA. I understand they plant around late October/November and harvest in June or July. I'm not sure what the result will be for you since you planted yours later and garlic needs a very long season. Try pulling them up in July. If your weather gets very hot before then I'd put some light shade cloth over the garlic to bring the temperature down a few degrees. You may find that your bulbs are smaller than you hoped for, or that it only makes one large clove instead of separate cloves. They should still be good, just not ideal. Then try planting again around Halloween and your garlic should be much bigger next year. Btw, I'm not sure why the chart says garlic shouldn't be planted in 9a. Certainly 9a on the West Coast can and does plant it.

- 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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