Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Garlic in Australia - sub-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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
13 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
From any shop that sells them - supermarkets etc. Plant around June.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 17, Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have recently harvested my garlic and was wondering if it is possible to freeze at least 2 bulbs to plant again next year?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would just let them dry out for a week or so and then store in a cool dry area.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Dec 17, Marilyn Mortlock (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it possible to plant garlic in December in Sydney?
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
You sure can plant it now - it just might not grow too well, or not at all. If you read the above about garlic it says plant April to July. There is a reason for that - it is the best time to do it.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Nov 17, Joe (Australia - temperate climate)
My wife planted garlic late october in frankston victoria will it mature or should we dig it up and wait till april. Thx
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It does say plant in the Autumn. I would suggest you plant then.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Nov 17, Beryl (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I had a bulb I bought and the cloves istarted to shoot, I just decided to break them off and plant them, I put them only a few Center meters apart, I had forgotten I had planted them, and about a month ago thought it was grass, was going to pull them out, a neighbour said it looks like either garlic or onion, so left them there, not long after I remembered what I had done. Now I have sooo many leaves come up. Now I want to know when do I ‘pick’ them??? Exciting
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Nov 17, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted organic purple garlic in March this year and pulled them up at the end of September, They take around 8 months, but mine looked like the leaves were all dying,so out they came....and then all the rain and flooding came ,so it was the right time, They are well worth planting as they don't need much attention...just don't over water them as they may rot.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google " How to grow Garlic". Will tell you how long from planting to harvest.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 191 - 200 of 577 comments
See comments for all plants

Hi, we have been growing garlic now for 5 years on a pretty small scale, about 1 acre. Have been to field days, read literature & spent too many hours looking on the net. This has to be one of the most frustrating things I have ever been involved with. Some say it is swamp plant & you can't over water, others say to let them dry out a few times as it encourages growth. Heaps of fertilizer, very little fertilizer, sandy soil is best, loam is best etc. etc. Like an earlier post let the bulb tell you, ha ha. But it is true. For our purple garlic plant in March April with mild fertilizer, we use blood & bone. We water as you would any other plant, use a moisture meter or stick you fingers in the soil to see how dry/wet it is. Occasionally top dress with b&b. Pull one out every few weeks & see what it says. One thing that is common to all advice is to not water for the last 3-4 weeks (noted when the leaves start to turn yellow & die off) as this will produce a very slimy skin not easy to work with & hard to stop rot. Again pull one up & have a look at what it's doing, it will let you know same as a citrus, potato or anything else. Just takes time to get to know it. Hope this adds to the confusion, I know I still am.

- John

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.