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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08 Nov 19, Chris Dawson (Australia - temperate climate)
No Richard, that is not the growing season for garlic. People plant the cloves in April to June. We normally harvest around November to December. The old farmers used to say plant on the shortest day (June 21) harvest longest day (December 21).
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30 May 08, Chris (Unknown climate)
Leontine, I second what Abbie said. I've tried to grow supermarket garlic. When it was cheap imported garlic it just rotted in the ground. Local stuff, when available, grew ok.
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30 May 08, Abbie (Unknown climate)
You might not be able to plant the garlic from the supermarket depending on where it has come from. Most imported stuff is sprayed with all sorts of toxins, and many are sprayed with various growth inhibitors. Try getting some Australian garlic, or even better some organic garlic. Otherwise, try diggers.com.au as they have garlic for sale online.
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21 May 08, Leontine (Unknown climate)
So when it says plant garlic cloves, you can just break up and plant the individual cloves that you get from the supermarket?
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17 Apr 08, Liz (Unknown climate)
Garlic has a long growing season. The old saying "Plant on the shortest day and dig on the longest day" is the easiest way to remember how long. If it is planted in good soil you won't need to fertilize it. In the hot months water regularly, it doesn't like long dry periods.
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15 Apr 08, tiarem (Unknown climate)
Can someone please supply a set of rules for growing garlic. I've not grown it before. My garlic has just shot and is looking healthy but I don't know if I have to fertilize or not, nor do I know how much water to give it
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Thanks for all your help Ms Burnett. Will you add me to your 'sell' list when you are ready to sell seed 'Pearls of Life' garlic? I definately would buy from 20-30. I can look after that many without too many dramas. I am retired and therefore have adequate gardening time on my handss BTW how much do you generally charge? Thanks again. -Fr David S Dampier

- Fr David S Dampier

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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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