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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
08 Jun 20, Sharon Rogers (Australia - tropical climate)
We live in wet tropics on Mt Bartle Frere. We have garlic cloves now shooting and raised garden beds. What chance do we have and if so what natural fertilzers and when to use them.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jun 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have good draining soil also. You are growing in the drier part of the year.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jun 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Also google about garlic and read up.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jun 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy rooster booster from Bunnings or go to a farm produce supplier and buy an organic fert. Both of those may only sell 15-25kg bags. Or go and see if you can buy a smaller quantity from Bunnings nurseries or Coles Woolworths. You could try Seasol or something similar but make sure it has NPK %.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 May 20, paul hansard (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where do I buy Garlic bulbs & ginger to grow ? Please.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 May 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Boondie seeds or other seed selling websites.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 May 20, Jon Hosford (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Garlic is best planted before the extremely cold weather sets in so that it can sprout and grow healthy leaves. It will then use this solid start to set healthy bulbs in the spring months. When tops start to flag, cease watering. Pull the garlic when the bulbs are strong and healthy and allow the leaves to die right back before storing. I live in a cool climate (Tasmania) and am able to keep garlic without it sprouting for use in cooking until July/August .
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Apr 20, David G (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there We're in Sydney, which is officially sub-tropical. Should I plant garlic now, or wait until late May/June? Thanks David
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jan 21, Paul Pryde (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant on the shortest day of the year that`s June harvest longest day of the year
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The planting guide says May to July. It looks like it is going to turn cold this weekend, time to plant I think. I have never grown it. They say plant around the shortest day of the year and harvest the longest - sunlight hours that is. Some people say that isn't true.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 61 - 70 of 577 comments
See comments for all plants

What fertilizer can I use to grow garlic. I use very old manure and 323 fertilizer.

- danie van niekerk

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.