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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01 Sep 23, Isaac Sieberts (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Which province in southafrica is the best to plant garlic
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31 Aug 23, Ray wales (Australia - temperate climate)
How to store garlic after digging up.some of mine went soft.some started to sprout after a few months?.
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28 Oct 23, Kelvan.......Margaret River wa (Australia - temperate climate)
I store my garlic in an onion bag and hang it up inside the shed.
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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A cool dry place.
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12 Jul 23, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I live just west of Toowoomba. I found a head of garlic in my fridge that is shooting all over the place! Is it ok to plant the cloves now?
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17 Jul 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes
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06 Jul 23, Pitso Maseko (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What type of soil is suitable for growing a garlic ? Between hard neck and soft neck which test best?
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03 Jul 23, Fezeka (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi there. I'm interested in planting Garlic. What is the differences between hardneck and softneck garlic ? What variety / cultivar is best for sub-tropical and summer rainfall areas ?
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05 Jul 23, (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Softneck garlic has leaves that remain soft and flexible even when mature, while hardneck garlic typically has thicker and more brittle skin. Softneck garlic, which is often found in grocery stores due to its longer shelf life and mild flavor, is a preferred choice for most recipes. In the tropics, it is advisable to grow softneck garlic as it tends to perform better in warmer weather conditions.
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14 Jun 23, Thomas (USA - Zone 7b climate)
If I plant garlic cloves in August in Zone 7B when would they be ready to harvest?
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Showing 41 - 50 of 915 comments
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Hi, we have been growing garlic now for 5 years on a pretty small scale, about 1 acre. Have been to field days, read literature & spent too many hours looking on the net. This has to be one of the most frustrating things I have ever been involved with. Some say it is swamp plant & you can't over water, others say to let them dry out a few times as it encourages growth. Heaps of fertilizer, very little fertilizer, sandy soil is best, loam is best etc. etc. Like an earlier post let the bulb tell you, ha ha. But it is true. For our purple garlic plant in March April with mild fertilizer, we use blood & bone. We water as you would any other plant, use a moisture meter or stick you fingers in the soil to see how dry/wet it is. Occasionally top dress with b&b. Pull one out every few weeks & see what it says. One thing that is common to all advice is to not water for the last 3-4 weeks (noted when the leaves start to turn yellow & die off) as this will produce a very slimy skin not easy to work with & hard to stop rot. Again pull one up & have a look at what it's doing, it will let you know same as a citrus, potato or anything else. Just takes time to get to know it. Hope this adds to the confusion, I know I still am.

- John

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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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