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
20 Oct 08, Jaci (Australia - temperate climate)
Maria, yes it sounds like garlic to me. You might not want to eat any plants that have gone to seed though as they may not taste as nice. If they haven't gone to seed, let the leaves yellow and die off before pulling them out of the ground to hang and dry for a few weeks before eating. This drying out allows the garlic bulb to form properly and separate into cloves.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Oct 08, Maria (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have something growing in my garden that I hope someone could recognise from my description. I thought it may be garlic as when i tear the leaves they smell like garlic. It comes out of the ground as one single stem with the leaves coming off the centre like onion or garlic, the stem is the thickness of a leek and it gets a purple flower head on the top almost the size of a tennis ball. Is this garlic, can i eat it?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Nov 10, jared (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
sounds like an ornamental Allium. If you feel the flowers are beautiful you can nurture the plant.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Oct 08, colin (Australia - temperate climate)
We have planted garlic for the first time this year, we thought we would try supermarket garlic which was china ,and it grew really well,also califorian late and spanish all gowing great
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Oct 08, barbara burnet (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have been growing aussie garlic for 12 years. First in Qld. now in Sth Victoria. My garlic is known as Australian Golden Garlic. 'The PEARLS of LIFE. tm. All is vibrant seed garlic . lasts stored 15 months or more. And grows and multiplys 10 fold. Flavour hot sweet and very moorish.Cloves med-large , purple colour. Delicious.!!
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jun 18, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Barbara, are you still in the market with your garlic? I'd love to get hold of some. Cheers! Peter
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Feb 15, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy garlic seed to buy?
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Jan 14, rodney olson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
where do we buy Australian golden garlic is it also named Ananda gold?
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Mar 13, Sandy Egan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, We have been reading with great interest about growing garlic..as first timers, and are wondering if you currently are selling seeds..or bulbs.....and the price..not sure how you supply..or if this is the right time of year. Also any advice on cultivation, maintenance, soil type raised gardens required etc. Thanks ..hope to hear back. We are located in Victoria. Regards, Sandy
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Dec 11, Leslely (in West Victoria) (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, Want to know where to get garlic? Do you plant cloves or buy seeds? Only two of us, so how many to grow and preserve for the year? Any help out there would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 871 - 880 of 909 comments
See comments for all plants

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.