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
06 Mar 21, Gina (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Is it this straight forward for elephant garlic too? I’ve saved some bulbs from summer, hoping to plant these in big pots as the soil here is terrible.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Mar 21, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Probably yes.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Feb 21, Wynny (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I live in zone 9a. It is Feb. 17. I would like to know (since I already planted the garlic today) when I can (or can't) harvest. Will I be able to harvest this year, or will I have to wait until next year?Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Feb 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Lucky for you, you're in the same climate zone as the famous garlic producing town of Gilroy, CA. I understand they plant around late October/November and harvest in June or July. I'm not sure what the result will be for you since you planted yours later and garlic needs a very long season. Try pulling them up in July. If your weather gets very hot before then I'd put some light shade cloth over the garlic to bring the temperature down a few degrees. You may find that your bulbs are smaller than you hoped for, or that it only makes one large clove instead of separate cloves. They should still be good, just not ideal. Then try planting again around Halloween and your garlic should be much bigger next year. Btw, I'm not sure why the chart says garlic shouldn't be planted in 9a. Certainly 9a on the West Coast can and does plant it.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the planting notes at the top of the page. Harvest times . Also it does not recommend planting garlic in your climate zone.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Jan 21, Rhondda Tittums (Australia - arid climate)
I live in Karratha in the NW of Western Australia, when should I plant garlic?
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Jan 21, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant on the shortest day harvest on the longest day that`s plant in June
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jan 21, Heidi Paulse (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I have a 1.3 hectre smalholding on the west.coast south africa and would like to start garlic planting.Where can l found a garlic planting guide. Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Feb 21, Sharon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Graceland Garlic
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Jan 21, Carl (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
One of the best resources is https://livingseeds.co.za/garlic
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 181 - 190 of 904 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Garlic

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.