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 10°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 10 - 12 cm 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

30 Sep 23, Serena (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I live in 10b, I've heard Inchelium Red might grow in my area. I'm trying it for the first time this year - don't have any hopes but you'll never know until you try
13 Sep 23, Deborah Quay (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I'm in zone 7b/8a. When should I plant garlic and what are the best types to plant in my zone?
19 Sep 23, (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Best to plant in February/March
01 Sep 23, Patty Johnson (USA - Zone 10b climate)
What variety of garlic will grow best in Zones 10 A/B? Hardneck/softneck, etc. there are so many varieties to choose from. Thx
14 Jun 23, Thomas (USA - Zone 7b climate)
If I plant garlic cloves in August in Zone 7B when would they be ready to harvest?
16 Jun 23, (USA - Zone 7a climate)
They should take 17-25 weeks before they're ready to harvest
01 Jun 23, Opal Ezell (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Which garlic can I plant in Ms?.When is the best time to plant cloves?
02 Jun 23, (USA - Zone 8b climate)
For MS (zone 8b), February and March are suitable months for planting cloves. Most garlic varieties are suitable for this region.
20 May 23, Rich (USA - Zone 8a climate)
If you planted your garlic in early November it should be up now in mid-May. I'm in 6B and mine broke ground in March and April. One thing that will slow it down is if you have a lot of light-colored mulch. That reflects the sunlight so the soil stays cold. If that's the case scrape it back and see what happens. Also if mulch is too thick straw the soil may be too soggy for garlic, although garlic does like quite a lot of water. But not sogginess.
14 May 23, Trish (USA - Zone 4b climate)
I planted my garlic in early November in a raised garden bed. It’s now mid May. Temperature has been cool. I am not seeing anything coming up yet. Is it too soon to worry?
Showing 11 - 20 of 126 comments

It's best to plant hardneck garlic in zone 6B from the middle to late October or even early November. The key is you want it to be cold, consistently below 45°, at least every night time. The first freezing encounter triggers garlic to start producing roots and that would determine how healthy and large the plants grow. Keep in mind freezing above ground may not equal freezing below ground. If you plant it in too warm a time, like early October, it may stunt the growth. It may even rot the garlic if it's wet too long. You may be able to accelerate the process by keeping in the refrigerator for a few weeks I'm not even know people who have kept it in the freezer for a few days or longer hopefully triggering root growth. I haven't tried that so I don't know.

- Rich

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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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