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 10°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 10 - 12 cm 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

18 Jun 19, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you want to check it 3 times a day to see if the soil is moist enough.
23 Jun 19, Meredith Wardlaw (Australia - arid climate)
What is the best way to test if moist enough?
28 Aug 19, Jules Sturm (New Zealand - temperate climate)
With all plants this method works & I'm not being sarcastic. Poke your finger 1- 3cm into soil & if soil sticks to your finger then it it moist .the old saying and rule of thumb is a thumb & & and a thumb nail ...that's a little bit of dirt left on your finger ....
20 Jul 18, Prakash (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Is it late to plant garlic in July in nz subtropical
09 Jun 18, Juping (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How and when do you grow garlic from seeds? I live in Wellington. Thank you.
02 Jul 18, Cathrine (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live in Wellington and have garlic growing currently from clove. I like growing things from seed but growing from clove is far more efficient if it’s for a kitchen garden. I opted for organic garlic from Commonsense. Plant directly in situ pointed end up into a 5-7cm deep hole, July is ok, takes about 6 months before ready to harvest.
23 Nov 17, Manju Campbell (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I planted garlic in may and it was so healthy up October and now it get a rust will you please let me know when is the harvesting season .or what shall I do
14 May 17, liz (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
how deep do i plant the garlic bulb - do i start it off first trying to get some roots developing or do i just plant a clove at whatever depth they require - thanks
15 May 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
I normally plant mine point end up about 25-30 mm below the surface. They can take a while to come up just like other bulbs such as daffodils.
17 May 17, Tony Robinson (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I live just out of Dunedin where we get frosts and occasional snow storms, our winters could be classed as severe. Garlic is similar to shallots in that it was regarded years ago to plant both shallots and garlic on the shortest day (June 21st.) and harvest on the longest day (December 21st) How-ever I now plant my garlic at intervals from early May through to mid August with great results. I always plant my clove straight into the ground with the top about half an inch below the surface. Space your cloves about six inches apart, the best of luck with your future plantings. Tony
Showing 11 - 20 of 24 comments

I normally plant mine point end up about 25-30 mm below the surface. They can take a while to come up just like other bulbs such as daffodils.

- Ken

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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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