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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
23 Feb 14, Sam (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
When can I plant garlic in Hermanus and should I work plenty of manure in before planting.??
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jan 14, Mariet Mulder (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I'm interested in growing garlic in the Eastern Cape. We get a lot of snow in winter, but summer is not that hot. I've only got one concern there are a lot of moles in the ground and would like to know if it will affect my planting of garlic. please be so kind to advise me on this matter. Thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Mar 14, Bernadette Phillips (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Garlic is a perfect mole deterrent! I plant garlic among my flowering bulbs.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Jan 14, charlie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
What tools and implements do I need to start growing garlic in randfontein? How should the soil be prepaired per hecter? How much water is needed? Can you recomend any books on the subject? Or any other assistance.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Dec 13, Rachel (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi we live in the Pilbra northern WA and wondering if there is any chance we could grow garlic over there please?
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jan 14, Scott (Australia - temperate climate)
probably not. Garlic needs a wet and cold winter
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 14, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
I would give it a go, after working through numerous Pilbara winters, I reckon it gets cold enough. There are some varieties that need less cold than others also.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Dec 13, hardus (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where can i find garlic seeds for about 0,5ha, and how many seeds would i need for 0;5 ha. My tamotoes is already planted, 600 mm apart under drip irrigation, and i want to plant the garlic end of january, between or next to the tamato plants, will this work? Any suggestions or tips to follow on planting garlic will be highly appreciated
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Dec 13, (Australia - tropical climate)
Try Russian/Elephant Garlic. Not a true Garlic but member of the leek family. Milder flavour than stadard Garlic. Here in Noosa Hinterland planted in March produces huge bulbs ( for 3 years now). Just harvested this year crop. On-line suppliers tend to run out of stock quickly best to register an interest and receive an e,mail when available. Good Luck...Mel
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Nov 13, sandy O'Brien (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
beautiful huge flowers on garlic, when do i harvest ?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 601 - 610 of 915 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.