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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Sep 23, (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Best to plant in February/March
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jun 23, (USA - Zone 7a climate)
They should take 17-25 weeks before they're ready to harvest
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Jun 23, Opal Ezell (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Which garlic can I plant in Ms?.When is the best time to plant cloves?
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 126 comments
See comments for all plants

Just remember to only select the largest cloves and eat all the small ones for yourself. The cloves determine the size of the harvested garlic. If you select only the largest cloves then as the garlic grows and the protective outer cloves develop around the centrally planted seed, they will develop to a size that matches the original clove you plant. Small clove = small yield. Large cloves = much larger yield. Being selective about saving only the very best and largest seeds for many different types of plants is going to serve you well. I think my kids are always slightly disappointed that we always have to 'eat the mistakes' while the very best of what we grow is saved as seed for an even better harvest next year. I guess it is the same principle as animal husbandry.

- Christian

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.