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 May 20, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
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.
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05 May 20, M (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was going to suggest staggering the planting over a few weeks. Seasons can vary from year to year so much. The year before last it didn't turn to cool/cold weather until well into July here. Last week we had night temps (6.7 and 7.9) within 2-3 degree of our normal coldest winter temps.
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22 Apr 20, Chris Smith (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i grow garlic in 30 litre pot
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23 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can grow most things in a pot if big enough. Need a lot more attention to them the smaller the pot.
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12 Apr 20, geoffrey Neely (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,my wife and i are first time growers of Russian garlic,my question is.we planted our garlic 2 weeks ago to the day so far only one seed has germinated.We soaked our garlic in seasol overnight prior to planting n a garden soil bought from local landscape supplier and mixed with natural occurring soil on our property.We watered the garlic in after planting and put a thin cover of sugarcane mulch over them, that first week only watered one more time the second week had 3-4 days of rain.Do you think there is a problem as only one shoot has penetrated the soil out of 630 planted,am i worrying about nothing will the rest of the cloves germinate in days or weeks to come should i keep watering should i not.thank you
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29 Apr 20, Kys (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I've planted around 30 cloves of garlic, soaked them overnight too, I had some pop up in just over a week and some took 3-4weeks. This is my first time growing it too and my only advice would be to make sure the dirt is loose and maybe remove the sugarcane till they pop through I didn't bother with using sugar cane for mine
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25 Apr 20, Robyn B (Australia - tropical climate)
Geoffrey, I’m a first time grower as well and had a problem with my Russians not sprouting (similar amount of time as you - I did the seasol as well). I’m transplanting them today as I found they didn’t have enough sun and the soil was very heavy and sandy. I had watched a YouTube clip that said they like daily water but well draining soil. Will keep you posted.
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14 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I think it takes awhile for garlic to germinate. Probably more about the seasons changing - summer to autumn. It is only now just starting to become cooler. A reasonable watering 1-2 times a week depending on how hot it is and if the soil dries quick or not.
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05 Apr 20, Roland Philip (Canada - Zone 2a Sub-Arctic climate)
Hey pal. In canada right now. Looking to relocate to Caribbean , will that be a tropical climate. Few pointers on growing garlic in Caribbean tropical climate. Soil type Amt. Of water Start date for planting Thank u regards
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06 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I would suggest you look up tropical and sub-tropical climates in Australia or USA etc and check what they do there.
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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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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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