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

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12 Jan 21, Carl (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
One of the best resources is https://livingseeds.co.za/garlic
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12 Jan 21, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Do you have agricultural government departments, ring them and ask.
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21 Dec 20, Thuli (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to grow garlic but i do not have a market. What must i do? (Gardenate reply: You need to talk to an Agricultural Advisor in your area - Gardenate is for home gardeners not farmers)
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24 Dec 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Look up seed selling websites.
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25 Nov 20, Koos (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
When can i plant garlick in gauten and what vaiarety im in springs
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26 Nov 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check the planting calendar at top of the page. Check internet for varieties sold in South Africa.
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07 Nov 20, Cici (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Other advise different from this is you can't just dry garlic for a day. Should be 2-3 weeks in shade with plenty of air circulation. Only way it will keep for 6-12 months depending on variety. I hang mine in an open shed/barn. Then trim off leaves and roots and store in cool dry place for long term storage.
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09 Nov 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
You could dig up and dry for a day, but in storing them put them in an open tray only one bulb/clump deep. Don't store in a big clump - they will sweat and rot. Your suggestion is pretty spot on. I pull my shallot bulbs out and leave them in the sun for a week or two. Trim the top off and put them in a tray 40mm x 60mm about 50cm deep. Store in the shade so they have air flow around them.
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20 Oct 20, Edwin Kruger (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can i start planting garlic in Oct to Nov ?
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20 Oct 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It is too late in the year for your climate. Check the garlic page under your climate zone.
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Showing 201 - 210 of 915 comments
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Will My Garlic Grow? I am in Venezuela. Normally its 25C peaking at 35C and we go between humid and soggy. I planted a bunch of garlic cloves that had already sprouted in containers on my balcony. They get a half day of direct sun and I'm watering them about every day and a half (when the soil looks dry, before the other herbs wilt) After 2 weeks they all have 5 - 10 cm growth, two have leaves that look grass like the other 5 look sprouty still (they have one twisty stalk thing that hasn't quite separated into leaves ) Should I persist with my garlic or should I rip it out and put in something that has half a chance? It was just an impulse plant when I realized that I had a clove that had sprouted so no big loss if they are a disaster, but I would feel like a super gardener if I could make something other than mint and basil grow.

- Gen

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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.
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