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 New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant cloves
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
26 Jun 16, kevin wang (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Our question is how to enlarge of cultivation?
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Jun 16, Kobus Alberts (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm unemployed and want to know if I can plant garlic and other herbs in my home garden for selling?
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Oct 16, May (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If you're planning to sell fresh produce at maybe a market or to restaurants, it would be better (faster) to start with veggies that mature faster, like lettuce and radishes. Garlic takes a long time to mature and they cannot be grown successfully for continued harvest throughout the year. I'd start with lettuce especially, because they can grow and produce for most of the year and restaurants use them daily... Also maybe basil, because it is a popular herb that is bought fresh frequently. When you have that going, you can start with tomatoes, which take a bit longer to harvest, but they are easy to propagate and always in demand. Plan properly and focus on something that is simple, quick and for which you have a market close to home, figure out how to do that well and produce enough to start generating income and you can build it up from there. Good luck! :)
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Jun 16, Mandlate (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I will like to grow garlic in Mozambique or Mpumalanga Nelspruit.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Aug 21, Abdullah imad Abdullah alzoubi (Australia - arid climate)
Please did u plant in Mozambique and If yes can u tell if it's possible
Reply or Post a new comment
19 May 16, Soola Thoo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I live in Ficksburg in the Free State and would like to grow a garlic garden. When is the best time for me to put into soil and is it advisable to get garlic from our grocery shop?
Reply or Post a new comment
18 May 16, tracey (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I live in pe. Would garlic grow in beach sand or must i ude potting soil? when is best time to plant. I have some cloves with new shoots i would like to try and cultivate
Reply or Post a new comment
09 May 16, Anna Lasiuk (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi ,is it ok to plant purple garlic in a pot? Also do I need to keep it protected from frost and what should I feed it? We live in South Hobart Tasmania and the soil is clay Thank you Anna
Reply or Post a new comment
02 May 16, itireleng mosekiemang (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
i am actually in Botswana. i am very much interested in farming by growing garlic. i am not sure if it is possible to grow it here. can someone give me ideas.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 May 16, Glennis Leary (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow garlic in Kununurra WA and what variety ios most suitable. Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 491 - 500 of 915 comments
See comments for all plants

Heres an answer for garlic, I grow about 300 plants a year and get good results with about 90% of the cloves coming in at 5cm in diameter plus. Season. Garlic takes up to 9 months to mature. Plant in autumn, late March to May, harvest November to December. Clove selection. Plant only the largest cloves, at least the size of your top thumb joint, I have big hands so I plant cloves 2- 2.5 cm across. Its easy to eat the biggest and the best, its better to plant the biggest and the best. Spacing. I plant 15 - 18 cloves per square metre, 25cm apart in rows 25 cm apart. With 30 cm + paths between 4 rows. It's easy to crowd them, and the yield in terms of weight may be much the same, but bigger garlic are a lot more fun and much easier to use in the kitchen. Sunlight. Whilst garlic can tolerate low sun during the winter months it needs 8 hours direct sunlight during the early and late growth stages. So lots of clear sky when it's maturing, September onwards. If your nutrition is right, (and soil acidity is right) then water could be the problem. While not much water is needed in winter, the ground should be kept moist through the season, especially in spring. A shallow watering is best the roots don't go down more than 30 cm max. Once to twice week during the maturing season. We cant control the weather, but avoid flooding (and applications of nutirients) during the final few weeks to lessen the chance of fungus attacks and sprouting. Garlic likes a moderate amount of lime (dolomite), you can rely on the recommended amount at least two weeks before planting and once every three years. Maturity. Look for tops fading in colour, a weakening of the stem near the base and a flattening of the top of the bulb when (gently) exposed Thats a lot and there's a lot more. It's a labour of love and a lifetime. And I'm sure others will have other suggestions, this is just a framework of what has worked for me. Planting at the moment actually. Regarding shallots most of the above also applies but Im not much of an authority. Shorter season length, but most of the above applies. I plant under the same conditions as garlic but only a few dozen and get good results.

- Ken WIlson

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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. GardenGrow 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.