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

08 Mar 16, Estelle (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
After planted how long before fully developed
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Approximately 200 days.
03 Mar 16, Greg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can get great fruit n veg stock, lots of great garlic from a nursery at crystal creek near numanba vally . Greg
29 Feb 16, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for your reply Ann - I have been searching the web for a week and I think I have exhausted all the web-sites, including green Harvest. GH have seed but what they have in stock is more suited to cooler winters than we experience here. I have found some Italian Red in the Hunter Valley - but it has sprouted - I guess I'll just have to take the risk and plant it now - at least a month early and hope for cooler weather. Thanks again for taking the time Tony
29 Feb 16, Anne Gibson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tony, I suggest you try Green Harvest online catalogue. Or pick up from Witta (near Maleny) if you're on the Sunshine Coast. They have a mail order supply of garlic from March. March/April is the ideal time for planting in subtropical climate.
29 Feb 16, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi - I am looking to purchase seed garlic. Because I live in sub-tropical Australia, I believe I should grow soft neck garlic such as Southern Glen, GlenLarge or Italian Red. Not interested in Russian (Elephant) garlic.Hoping to buy 1kg. does anybody know of a supplier of seed-stock of any of these? Every supplier I have tried has run out of stock - I have left my enquiry a bit late. Many thanks for any replies.
20 Feb 16, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, We have been growing garlic successfully for years and loving it. When they were harvested this year they were left in the sun to cure and some of them went green. Can I still cook with the green ones or will they be bitter. Cheers, R
09 Feb 16, Johan van der MERWE (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
were can i buy gaint garlic seed I am at Ermelo Mpumalanga South Africa
18 Jan 16, ATHOL HAWKES (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for the basics of Garlic planting on South Coast Natal - hot & humid. What about soil preparation ?, PH ?; Fertilizers etc?.
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Nitrogen. Add cow manure as a side dressing.
Showing 511 - 520 of 907 comments

It is a bit of trial and error. Have good draining soil. Little plants need little waterings more often, daily, big plants a lot more water less often, 2-3 times per week. General rule dig down into the soil 50-70mm to see how moist the soil is. You will quickly learn that say a crop of lettuce might need 60 sec of watering. Whereas some mature tomatoes plants need 2-3 minutes.

- Another gardener

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.