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
03 Aug 22, Dirty Fingernails (USA - Zone 9b climate)
The chart you refer to says garlic is not suitable for zone 9b.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 May 22, David doodwin (USA - Zone 9a climate)
when do I plant garlic and onions
Reply or Post a new comment
30 May 22, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Change the zone at the top of the page to USA -9a (If that is correct for you) - then find onions in the Vegetables and Herbs tab. Do the same for Garlic. You will get an idea of suitable planting times in your zone.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 May 22, CJ (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
HELLO THERE PLEASE HELP I WANT TO PLANT TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS, LETTUCE, HOT PEPPERS , BELL PEPPERS, GARLIC & ONIONS. I LIVE IN OSHAWA NORTH ONTARIO IN A CONDO SO CAN ONLY PLANT IN CONTAINERS. I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP - THANK YOU
Reply or Post a new comment
13 May 22, Janice (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Good day I started planting garlic in April 2022,when do I harvesf
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Sep 22, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
You can start checking your garlic crop now. Look at the leaves and if you can count 5 to 6 leaves browining from the bottom up then it's time to harvest.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 May 22, anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
About 5-6 months time
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Apr 22, Penny (USA - Zone 5b climate)
How do I grow California softneck garlic in zone 5B, to be PLANTED in the spring?
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Oct 22, (USA - Zone 6b climate)
we put ours in mid october and get good sized heads by mid july to end of july
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The guide says Sept - Oct planting - if that isn't your Spring then it won't grow.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 141 - 150 of 915 comments
See comments for all plants

Hi,my wife and i are first time growers of Russian garlic,my question is.we planted our garlic 2 weeks ago to the day so far only one seed has germinated.We soaked our garlic in seasol overnight prior to planting n a garden soil bought from local landscape supplier and mixed with natural occurring soil on our property.We watered the garlic in after planting and put a thin cover of sugarcane mulch over them, that first week only watered one more time the second week had 3-4 days of rain.Do you think there is a problem as only one shoot has penetrated the soil out of 630 planted,am i worrying about nothing will the rest of the cloves germinate in days or weeks to come should i keep watering should i not.thank you

- geoffrey Neely

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.