Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Garlic in Australia - tropical regions)

  • P = Plant cloves
  • 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

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02 Dec 18, Kia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Got some garlic cloves sprouting ready to plant in the garden. Summer here, scorching hot summer this year. Will the garlic be alright growing in the garden? I have shade cloth. Or is indoors better?
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02 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It does say plant May to July. You can try it under shade cloth if you like. Because it is not the right time to plant it may not grow very well. Research it on the internet.
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30 Nov 18, Tsuska (Australia - temperate climate)
What softneck or hardneck variety of garlic is best to grow in Sydney climate?
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02 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Search the internet or call a nursery or seed selling company.
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04 Dec 18, Tsusa (Australia - temperate climate)
The only one I found that was mentioned Italian red (subtropical group). The only bulbs in nurseries I've been able to find so far is Australian white and red for sale. Planted Australian white last season and they don't seem to have done particularly well... maybe I'll try italian red (if i can find some) next season.
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04 Nov 18, Deon Van Vuuren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. I'm located in Brisbane. Planted Italian white based on recommendations for the climate. Garlic grew well until a month ago. Had a massive hailstorm after a very dry period. The garlic has now created various new thin leaves. on inspecting one, it seems like the cloves has started to grow inside the bulb. I wanted to grow the garlic for seed for next year. Question is, should I harvest all the garlic and let it dry out to stop the growth and will it grow next year? Also, some cloves have not formed. Can I harvest and replant next year and will it grow?
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06 Nov 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I don't grow it. You don't mention when you planted it etc. Maybe the hail (rain and N in the hail) gave the crop a boost and the plants started shooting. Maybe harvest it and see what you can save for bulbs for next year. I would say you need some kind of bulb (maybe even small) to be able to grow from next year.
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29 Oct 18, Vassana (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my turban garlic in April it grew well looking healthy plants, until August my plants getting yellow maybe lack of water so I water them and put seasol as well the plant started looks healthy again. Last week I pulled some out and the bulb just looks like an onion and the leaf just thick like leek and they are not forming cloves. Do you have any Idea why this is happening? my location its South East QLD. between Maryborough and Gympie
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30 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here - I would plant it later like it says - shortest day - 21st June into well prepared soil. Water regularly but not too much especially in winter. Yellow leaves could be the soil running out of N. I had leeks a bit similar this year.
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09 Oct 18, margaret nunns (Australia - temperate climate)
we want to know how to grow black garlic
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This is a transcript of a article on growing garlic in central Australia (desert). It is on ABC Rural News and may be a help to you. Trials reveal potential for garlic-growing in Northern Territory Posted 7 Oct 2016 MAP: Alice Springs 0870 A trial exploring the capabilities of seven garlic varieties in the red centre is showing some early positive results. Seven varieties of garlic are being trialled at the Northern Territory's Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI), alongside the standard industry garlic variety, Glen Large. The Alice Springs environment will demonstrate how varieties that have never been grown commercially in the Northern Territory respond to extreme cold and extreme heat. Central Australian Horticulture Development Project manager and researcher Stuart Smith said despite challenges such as poor water quality, the results so far had been positive. "We're hoping, because we're just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, we're just a bit a little subtropical, that we're in the right area," he said. "We've got the right heat profile, right day length and we're able to grow some good bulbs. "If it'll grow here, it'll grow anywhere. "Central Australia is a bit isolated from the rest of Australia so it doesn't have the pests and diseases of the other garlic-growing areas." Plan to get garlic onto market early in season Mr Smith believes there is a market opportunity for garlic that grows early in the traditional growing season. We thought we could get a few varieties to come early on the market, so we can get some good prices for them and replace the imported garlic," he said. The first successful harvested trial crop has reached a stage of maturity that would be ready for market. "It's got a code name called AF. We're getting some good-sized bulbs out of this," Mr Smith said. "I estimate we're getting 6-8 tonnes per hectare." The DPI's Stuart Smith and agriculture minister Ken Vowles stand in a field of garlic PHOTO: Stuart Smith and Primary Industries Minister Ken Vowles discuss the garlic crop trial near Alice Springs. (ABC Rural: Katrina Beaven) Mr Smith said the early trial results were encouraging despite poor water quality and salty soils. "We have to keep watering them pretty constantly to keep moving the salt out of the root zone," he said. "The water we're using at AZRI is pretty low quality. "Most of the water other people are using in horticulture around the Central Australian region is a lot better quality than this." Mr Smith said the research results would also add value to what was being learned by a grower at Orange Creek Station, south of Alice Springs, who is conducting a commercial garlic trial this year.

- John

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