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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10 Apr 15, Amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Moses, I came across information about a man growing garlic in Uganda. Maybe you can find him for some help on how to grow garlic. He is known as Dr Twaha Kakooza and is a resident of Bubajjwe village, Kayunga sub-county, in Kayunga district. He is the proprietor of Shatwa Mixed Farm located in the same area & also doctor of herbal medicine. Regards, Amanda.
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19 Dec 14, manie sequeira (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
my wife and i started a childrens home. is it possible to make money out of garlic on a peace of grownd 35m * 13m.
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19 Jan 15, Vivian (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi, Yes you can. Try www.garlicgrowers.co.za Good luck. rds
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08 Dec 14, Uraj (USA - Zone 13a climate)
Is there a garlic that will grow in the tropic, if so I will like to try it.Where can I obtain these garlic. I live in Guyana South America.
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27 Nov 14, celia (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Trying a garden for garlic at home in campbell northern cape. The one lot's leaves look if it hang down on the ground. Litereally flat on the soil and not upright. We have very hot summers and very cold winters in the northen cape. Could somebody send me some tips or why the garlic hang so flat
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17 Nov 14, Koos Snyman (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
When to plant garlic . How to fireflies garlic . Spray garlic for pest.
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14 Nov 14, Janet (Australia - temperate climate)
Am on NSW far south coast. Planted garlic around June and they are starting to brown off now. Any point in leaving them in longer ie waiting till the longest day? Also should I water them at all before harvest?
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22 Oct 14, Gert olivier (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
We would like to plant garlic. Area is Bela Bela and we would like to find out where to purchase the seed pods. Our soil is clay, will this work and when should we plant Thanks
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12 Oct 14, Hannelie Burger (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am staying in Sutherland Northern Cape with very harsh snowy winters and thunder rain in summer on top of the Komsberg mountain range. Is it possible to plant garlic now in October and harvest before winter because our growing window is only between October and March. Which cultivar is the best for this conditions.
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27 Sep 14, Glen (Australia - temperate climate)
I live on NSW far south coast, moved there quite recently. I planted garlic as usual at mid-winter, and it was fine for a while, then started looking unwell with some dead leaves. Gave a bit of blood and bone about three weeks ago, and now the lot has died. Disappeared. I've just dug it up, and there were a few small bulbs starting to form. The soil came from a supplier and was a soil and mushroom compost mix. Never had a problem before - dows anyone have any ideas as to what's wrong.
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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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