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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27 Jan 23, Michelle (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I have some German garlic that I really need to plant. Is it too late to plant it in a raised bed in my Zone 7a right now? Still have about 8 to 10 weeks of 20 to 30 degree nights ahead. Thanks!
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07 Jan 23, Alan Kuchas (USA - Zone 3b climate)
I’m in zone 3a-3b. In your note for planting garlic , it suggest planting in APRIL? I always plant in October for next years harvest in aug-Sept. if I plant in April will I get bulbs in the Fall?
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23 Jan 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Have read, plant in the shortest daylight hours and harvest in the longest hrs of sunlight.
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10 Dec 22, Clifford Foy (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Got some garlic for planting today. This has been a very strange year. Today temp is 50 inn the morning . Can expect some more rain. No cold weather so far. Can I plant the garlic or should I wait till march )running the risk of getting it spoiled. What shall I do?
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18 Nov 22, Mairlyn (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I read that I should place my garlic in the refrigerator for 7 to 8 weeks before planting. I read this after the fact. How will no refrigeration prior to planting effect my results?
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16 Apr 23, Michelle (USA - Zone 9b climate)
In my zone, because it's warm, you need to do cold stratification in the frig before planting. I tried before with store garlic and it didn't work, now I bought softneck, put in the frig a few weeks and they are doing great.
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07 Dec 22, Paula (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I have never chilled mine and they do okay. I don't know the type as I have as I started with grocery store bulbs, but I have read that soft neck varieties do better in warm climates.
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04 Dec 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably make no difference. The thing is to use mature aged bulbs. Fresh new bulbs may not be as good as bulbs that have been out of the ground for a few months.
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16 Oct 22, Holly (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Can I plant garlic bulbs in pots (that will remain outside throughout winter) in zone 5b?
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20 Oct 22, (USA - Zone 5b climate)
If you can grow it in the ground you can grow it in a pot usually.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 131 comments
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I planted early last year and lost most of my crop early on because it was too hot. This year I planted mid April and apart from having to shade the crop a couple of days the temperature is perfect. The crop is looking great and growing fast. I'd be thinking you may need to experiment as well as hope nature doesn't decide to play games with the seasons. You might next year consider staggering 2 bulbs every 2 weeks for say 6 weeks and recording the results. That way the following year you should nail it. Good luck and keep trying. Determined gardeners eventually find the sweet spot.

- mick

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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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