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 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

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18 Mar 19, veronica (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
veronica, yes is great advice, thank you, have tried lots but all failed will give it a go next march. thanks so much
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25 Feb 19, Sharon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The easiest garlic to grow in the subtropics is Russian or elephant garlic. I find I get bigger cloves if I plant a little earlier late say lateApril/early may to give the plants a little more cold growing season Try and buy your seed garlic from a local grower for a locally adapter strain..
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28 Dec 18, Manyadza (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Im in South Africa living in Olifantsfontein i want to start planting garlic in my gardern is it better to 0lant now or wait for febraury? I also want to plant garlic in Ha - kutama Muduluni when can i start to plant as is very hot now .
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04 Dec 18, Bulton Naidoo (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Live in Montagu western cape it's extremely cold here until end of August wen should I plant garlic
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02 Dec 18, Kia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Got some garlic cloves sprouting ready to plant in the garden. Summer here, scorching hot summer this year. Will the garlic be alright growing in the garden? I have shade cloth. Or is indoors better?
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02 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It does say plant May to July. You can try it under shade cloth if you like. Because it is not the right time to plant it may not grow very well. Research it on the internet.
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30 Nov 18, Tsuska (Australia - temperate climate)
What softneck or hardneck variety of garlic is best to grow in Sydney climate?
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02 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Search the internet or call a nursery or seed selling company.
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04 Dec 18, Tsusa (Australia - temperate climate)
The only one I found that was mentioned Italian red (subtropical group). The only bulbs in nurseries I've been able to find so far is Australian white and red for sale. Planted Australian white last season and they don't seem to have done particularly well... maybe I'll try italian red (if i can find some) next season.
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04 Nov 18, Deon Van Vuuren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. I'm located in Brisbane. Planted Italian white based on recommendations for the climate. Garlic grew well until a month ago. Had a massive hailstorm after a very dry period. The garlic has now created various new thin leaves. on inspecting one, it seems like the cloves has started to grow inside the bulb. I wanted to grow the garlic for seed for next year. Question is, should I harvest all the garlic and let it dry out to stop the growth and will it grow next year? Also, some cloves have not formed. Can I harvest and replant next year and will it grow?
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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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