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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08 Jan 16, Louise (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
What type of soil and pH level for garlic? Do they like a lot of water We are on the south coast, kwa-zulu natal.
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19 Oct 15, Suzette van Jaarsveld (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Planted Garlic April 2015 Namaqualand 40km from the coast of Hondeklipbay.. When should I harvest? Plants started to fall to the ground/lay flat. What can be the reason.
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04 Oct 15, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
I have forgotten to plant my garlic , but have garlic nodes that are shooting out of the soil. The temp is 10-30 most days and the garden only gets sun til midday.
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22 Sep 15, Sharoomadee Naidoo (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi, when should I start planting garlic in MALAWI (Mulanje). Thanks.
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10 Aug 15, Pam (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I buy my seeds online from Living Seeds which supply organic seeds and products. I have had great success with their seeds. I recently found another site called Organic Seeds, but have not as yet bought from them. Both sites have a large variety of all vegetables, Cape Gooseberry and other seeds. Both sites offer assistance from growing, to product use etc.
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02 Aug 15, PERCY KAGISO MARUMO (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
WHICH IS THE BEST GARLIC VARIETY THAT CAN BE GROWING IN BOTSWANA ?
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10 Jul 15, Arthur Makhalemele (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
where do I get garlic seeds or bulbs in south Africa?
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17 Jun 15, Wendy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was rod to leave in the ground/pot for 2 years before harvesting Is this correct
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21 Jun 15, Brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Wendy, Just wait until the tops die off and harvest. Leave them there and the bulbs will just multiply and shoot next year but be very small. If you want, just keep a couple of the bulbs to put back in. I just go to the local roadside market and get new bulbs starting to shoot and plant them each year. Got about 20 this year for $2.00
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02 Jun 15, Thomas tan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What fertiliser is best for garlic
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Showing 531 - 540 of 915 comments
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I have been growing garlic in north east Victoria for 15years. I grow new Zealand purple and also Russian. I love the flavour of NZ purple and I love the size of the Russian for using in making tomato sauce as it is so big sometimes you only need one clove.So much easier to chop than the other. Nearly every year I get caught with November rain just when I am ready to harvest and lose three quarters of my crop but I think this year I've got it right. I used to grow huge quatities for years but noone ever wanted it so now I am down to just enough for the family.I jar a lot of it in good cold pressed olive oil to have lots for over winter. Any advice needed I'm more than happy to reply cheers chris.

- christine bryant

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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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