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 May 22, David doodwin (USA - Zone 9a climate)
when do I plant garlic and onions
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30 May 22, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Change the zone at the top of the page to USA -9a (If that is correct for you) - then find onions in the Vegetables and Herbs tab. Do the same for Garlic. You will get an idea of suitable planting times in your zone.
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25 Apr 22, Penny (USA - Zone 5b climate)
How do I grow California softneck garlic in zone 5B, to be PLANTED in the spring?
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09 Oct 22, (USA - Zone 6b climate)
we put ours in mid october and get good sized heads by mid july to end of july
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26 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The guide says Sept - Oct planting - if that isn't your Spring then it won't grow.
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20 Mar 22, Bella Lopez (USA - Zone 9b climate)
How often do we water garlic?
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21 Mar 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 3a climate)
Put your finger in the soil if it is dry below 1 inch, add water.
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04 Nov 21, Melinda Horsey (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What about growing elephant garlic in zine 9b? Is it the same as regular garlic?
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08 Oct 21, Rich (USA - Zone 6b climate)
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.
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07 Oct 21, Myrna (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I have success in planting from October 1 up until Early Dec….harvesting late May through July. Nice large bulbs in Zone 7b, getting close to 8a.
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Showing 71 - 80 of 133 comments
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I always grow my garlic from grocery store garlic, if I have no planting cloves of my own. I am in zone7...it alwAys germinated and proceeds to grow beautiful large garlic! I ordered some a good while back from a reputable gardening site, and it did NOT do well...almost no bulbs,

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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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