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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06 Aug 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Read the notes here and then think about your climate, weather and soil temperatures. If it says you need this this and that and you don't have those conditions then it is not likely to grow. Some crops are cool weather some need warm/hot temps.
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05 Jul 20, Mike mahaffy (USA - Zone 8a climate)
What is the most flavorful garlic? In Central South Carolina (Zone 8A), is hard neck, or softneck garlic, better to plant?
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23 Jun 20, Simeon Tshwene (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How do I grow garlic
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24 Jun 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I suggest you google
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08 Jun 20, Sharon Rogers (Australia - tropical climate)
We live in wet tropics on Mt Bartle Frere. We have garlic cloves now shooting and raised garden beds. What chance do we have and if so what natural fertilzers and when to use them.
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09 Jun 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have good draining soil also. You are growing in the drier part of the year.
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09 Jun 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Also google about garlic and read up.
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09 Jun 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy rooster booster from Bunnings or go to a farm produce supplier and buy an organic fert. Both of those may only sell 15-25kg bags. Or go and see if you can buy a smaller quantity from Bunnings nurseries or Coles Woolworths. You could try Seasol or something similar but make sure it has NPK %.
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27 May 20, paul hansard (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where do I buy Garlic bulbs & ginger to grow ? Please.
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28 May 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Boondie seeds or other seed selling websites.
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Showing 221 - 230 of 915 comments
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We use Sam's Club garlic because it is cheap and quickly available.... ours were huge by May after we planted in October. We dug a deep rectangular in ground spot about a foot deep and filled the lower half with horse manure bedding and put blended sandy compost on top of the horse bedding manure (we actually planned on making a "hot bed"/cold frame there but termites usually destroy wood structures here at ground level) and our garlic were big as tennis balls! We recently tried planting in a bed that we didn't put a lot of fertilizer first and got VERY depressing results so I say go big or go home on nutrients in the bed first or you may be disappointed. I really do not think the type as much as the preparation of the bed is what gives the best results. We just wanted a lot of food for the least investment... you may have other goals. Either way... doesn't hurt to fluff up most anyplace with fresh soil/nutrients first.

- Melinda Schwab

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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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