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

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13 Jul 15, Gilberte (Australia - temperate climate)
Compost tea compost tea can be made from your compost. Compost: 1 layer of straw 1 layer of greens (alfalfa, lucern ....)or kitchen scraps sprinkle of wood chips sprinkle of soil sprinkle of cow or other manure sparingly sprinkle with water mixed with two tablespoons of unsulfured molasses and then start the layers all over again until the bail of straw is finished. Cover with black plastic. After 4 days turn compostheap and then every 2 days until no warmth is felt. Fill a bag with the compost and hang it in a drum with water. Either blow air into the water with an airpump or turn the water with a stick so it shapes a vortex. Do this several times during the day. You will have enough organic fertilizer from one compost heap for about a season. (sprinkle your garden vegetables every week or 2 weeks). Always keep your compost heap covered. If you have leafy vegies add a little bit of seaweed concentrate. Do not give sea weed concentrate to your fruiting vegies eg tomatoes, capsicum etc as it will encourage folliage but not the fruit.
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23 Apr 15, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I WANT TO GROW GARLIC IN NORTHERN BOTSWANA . WHEN CAN I START GROWING THE CLOVES AND WHERE DO I GET QUALITY CLOVES?
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21 Apr 15, july (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I would like to buy a garlic seeds or bulbs and how do I go about it?
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13 Apr 15, frank (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I believe that of the 100 or so types of garlic only a few are suitable for colder regions, Could you please advise which ones? Thank you.
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30 Nov 15, John Boundy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
we have had 5 or six years growing in Canberra. In past, got an Australian Purple and kept saving the biggest bilbs. last year, added Monaro red from Bredbo, seemed ok not as large but we had a dog fight on the bed and stuff was squashed early. This year, sowed Diggers club 4 varieties as well as Monaro red. Just starting to harvest. The (free) diggers biofresh ok (thought we were getting Melbourne Market but they substituted) Good size bulbs for first year. Haven't harvested the rest, will repost in a week or so. In summary, any variety seems OK in Canberra, although the softnecks collapse early
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29 Mar 15, faried (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I would like to start in northen cape kuruman very hot summer and harsh winnter. Would like to put them under shady net
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29 Mar 15, Wessel Otto (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can you please give me a webpage, with every details about garlic, type of fertilizer very important. What about chicken compost, is it enough. Thanks
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22 Mar 15, Joe Viscione (Australia - temperate climate)
how to prepare plot for garlic, and what firtelise is needed
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03 Apr 15, Tony Grossetti (Australia - temperate climate)
Joe, good old fashion chicken manure or dynamic lifter is what I use. Spread on top of the soil where you intend to plant then turn over soil well and water in. Garlic will need a sunny spot to mature to large size. Do this a few weeks before planting. Plant garlic and water in well. Once the garlic starts to shoot use a soluable fertilizer every 2-3 weeks (maybe once a month in winter). Hope it works out for you.
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07 Feb 15, Moses Opoo (Australia - tropical climate)
Hello, I live in Eastern Uganda with very harsh weather. What type of garlic can I plant here reflecting on the weather.
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Showing 541 - 550 of 915 comments
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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

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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. 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.
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