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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05 Oct 21, Annemarie (USA - Zone 8b climate)
We would like to plant garlic for next summer. We live in the Seattle area.....so we are going to be headed into a lot of rainy weather for the next few months. When should we plant my cloves to get big multi clove bulbs and when would we harvest them? We plan on using large containers....should they be moved into a place with a little weather protection during the heaviest rain? We planted in February last year and got tiny tiny bulbs..... The same question for leeks if you know about those too..... Thanks very much! Annemarie
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20 Sep 21, Kim Kautzer (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I'd like to try my hand at growing garlic, but we can get some pretty hot spring days here in inland Southern California. I'm wondering if I might have better luck in our "screenhouse," which has full sun around the east, south, and west sides (regular window screen that doesn't block any sun). The roof is covered with shade cloth. I have successfully grown tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and herbs in large containers in the screenhouse. I'm hoping there'd be enough shade to protect the garlic on those super hot, sun-intense days. Thoughts?
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01 Dec 21, David Jolly (USA - Zone 9b climate)
If You grow garlic in 9b just requires refrigeration for 2-3 week min to trick it into thinking it winter. In summer you will have to use shade cloth and/or monitor water on really hot spells. I grow several hardneck & softneck last year. Might be a bit late to start the process now though.
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19 Sep 21, Robin Mendelson (USA - Zone 11a climate)
Can you plant garlic indoors in Florida?
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05 Sep 21, Cynthia Hamilton (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I want to plant elephant garlic. I should plant it deeper, correct? This article said to just barely cover.
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07 Sep 21, (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Plant as they suggest but keep an eye on the watering - don't let them dry out too much.
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02 Sep 21, Molly Beverly (USA - Zone 7b climate)
We have grown up to 3 acres of garlic over the past 30 years. Plant in October/November, harvest the end of June. Around mid June the tops will start drying. Pull a bulb and count the wrappers. If there are 5 wrappers it is time to cut off the water. Harvest when the tops are mostly dried. I make braids from the largest bulbs right then. Hang them in the kitchen. Let the garlic cure 2 weeks in the shade before storing in a cool, dark place at room temperature. I grow soft neck garlic with big cloves and it keeps braided, hanging on my kitchen wall until the next harvest. And... always save the biggest bulbs with the biggest cloves for the next planting.
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22 Oct 21, Jose (USA - Zone 8a climate)
How often do you water the garlics? And you braid them? How do you get them ready to replant for next season? I live in Lexington South Carolina. Email me any tips I’m looking to get planting garlic for the first time. I’d appreciate it.
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29 Aug 21, Jim Tocci (USA - Zone 7a climate)
My research seems to indicate that soft neck garlic might be more appropriate for my region vs hard neck. We plan to put them in mid-October to early November. Thanks!
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17 Aug 21, william (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I am located in the Marshville, NC area. I have read varying articles about when to plant. I'm on the 7b/8a cusp. Some articles have said that I can plant as early as October or as last as January. More specific advice would be much appreciated.
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Hi am wondering where to purchase enough garlic for about an acre. Ta

- Ros

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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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