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 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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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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Showing 71 - 80 of 577 comments
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Heres an answer for garlic, I grow about 300 plants a year and get good results with about 90% of the cloves coming in at 5cm in diameter plus. Season. Garlic takes up to 9 months to mature. Plant in autumn, late March to May, harvest November to December. Clove selection. Plant only the largest cloves, at least the size of your top thumb joint, I have big hands so I plant cloves 2- 2.5 cm across. Its easy to eat the biggest and the best, its better to plant the biggest and the best. Spacing. I plant 15 - 18 cloves per square metre, 25cm apart in rows 25 cm apart. With 30 cm + paths between 4 rows. It's easy to crowd them, and the yield in terms of weight may be much the same, but bigger garlic are a lot more fun and much easier to use in the kitchen. Sunlight. Whilst garlic can tolerate low sun during the winter months it needs 8 hours direct sunlight during the early and late growth stages. So lots of clear sky when it's maturing, September onwards. If your nutrition is right, (and soil acidity is right) then water could be the problem. While not much water is needed in winter, the ground should be kept moist through the season, especially in spring. A shallow watering is best the roots don't go down more than 30 cm max. Once to twice week during the maturing season. We cant control the weather, but avoid flooding (and applications of nutirients) during the final few weeks to lessen the chance of fungus attacks and sprouting. Garlic likes a moderate amount of lime (dolomite), you can rely on the recommended amount at least two weeks before planting and once every three years. Maturity. Look for tops fading in colour, a weakening of the stem near the base and a flattening of the top of the bulb when (gently) exposed Thats a lot and there's a lot more. It's a labour of love and a lifetime. And I'm sure others will have other suggestions, this is just a framework of what has worked for me. Planting at the moment actually. Regarding shallots most of the above also applies but Im not much of an authority. Shorter season length, but most of the above applies. I plant under the same conditions as garlic but only a few dozen and get good results.

- Ken WIlson

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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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