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
20 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here how to plant it. In full sun and check the soil down an inch or so, if dryish water - like each 2-3 days.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Oct 22, Beth (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I should have my first frost this week and haven't gotten them in the ground yet. I haven't had the time this year. Is it too late to plant for harvest next year? Any suggestions on how to plant and fertilizer needed would be greatly appreciated.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Oct 22, (USA - Zone 6b climate)
You had better be quick about it.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Sep 22, Barb (USA - Zone 5b climate)
How often do you water the garlic? What are garlic frills??? I think that is the word....when the tops start to curl.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Oct 22, Jo (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Scapes are only grown from the hardneck garlic. Once they coil around 1-2 times it’s important to cut close to the stem so the plant doesn’t expend it’s energy growing the scape not the bulb. Once the scapes grow the bulbs are usually ready to be harvested a month or so thereafter! Hardnecks are great for cooler zones and softnecks for warmer climates. For storage though softnecks are much preferred as they can store well 6-9 months whereas hardneck bulbs usually only 3-6 months.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Oct 22, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Your soil should be moist but not really wet. Try watering 2-3 times a week depending on how hot it is.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Sep 22, John Downey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted Australian Purple Garlic. Think it's the wrong variety. Grew ok..I think? But has been fairly static for a while. Confusing reading on garlic. Some say plant march and harvest in September.7 months. Most others say it's a 9 month crop. Any advice please. Tia John.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Sep 22, Ruth Lauster (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi John, we have been growing hardneck garlic near Barrington Tops for around 8 Years now, found Tasmanian Purple growing best in our climate (700m above sea level), generally hardnecks grow better in cooler climates as oppose to softnecks, generally its a good idea to try a variety of cultivars to find the one that suits your location best! Penny Woodward is an expert, I refer to her books and this website might help https://www.australiangarlic.net.au/
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Sep 22, (Australia - tropical climate)
They say plant shortest day and harvest longest day. Maybe sub-tropical plant late April to June. Plants don't grow much in July August - weather cold)
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Sep 22, Donna (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I’m in 7b. Will garlic thrive in pots and standing gardens?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 111 - 120 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.