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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
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)
09 Sep 22, Donna (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I’m in 7b. Will garlic thrive in pots and standing gardens?
20 Sep 22, Brian Simpson (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Pots are the best place to grow your garlic, make sure you give it lots of fertilizer and do not plan more then 3 garlic bulbs. I started growing ma few in pots this year and they already starting to grow or sprout out, and I'm planting some in pots in a few weeks. So to answer the question Yes it thrive in Pots, raised beds or a small inground garden. Come check out harvest for 2022 on social media
14 Sep 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 7b climate)
It says to plant now. It all comes down to how fertile your soil is and whether you water them enough. Pots require more attention.
18 Aug 22, Clifford S Foy (USA - Zone 8a climate)
bOUGHT GARLIC FROM cOSTCO LAST YEAR AND IT BLOOMED BEAUTIFUL BUT NO GARLIC. wHAT i DID WRONG??
Showing 111 - 120 of 912 comments

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.