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 USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant cloves

September: Garlic can overwinter. Cover with a good layer of mulch . In areas where frost persists into March/ April, expect to harvest your garlic in June/July.

October: Garlic can overwinter. Cover with a good layer of mulch . In areas where frost persists into March/ April, expect to harvest your garlic in June/July.

  • 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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24 Jul 13, Dorothy Kibirige (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Which type is best for Uganda, when is the best planting period, and when to harvest it? Also, is it possible to have 2 planting seasons in a single year?
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19 Jul 13, Melissa Vipin (Australia - tropical climate)
Should I peel the garlic clove before I plant it? How constantly should it be watered?
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21 Jul 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The cloves should be planted unpeeled - just split the head of garlic apart.
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20 Jul 13, Andres (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Melissa, the answer is no, don't peel the garlic clove before planting, after breaking it off from the big clove just put it straight into your pot or garden, just remember to put its tip pointing up, it should be watered regularly, I usually water it at least every other day and is growing beautifully, hope this helps!
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17 Jul 13, Tony Smith (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I live in Malalane, east of Nelspruit and would like to know the following. A lot of the soil here is very clay, is this ok for garlic and what type of soil is best for garlic? Is the climate here suitable for it and what would be the best times to plant? Regards Tony
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02 Jul 13, Mehmet Kolgu (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi There which vegies likes the chicken poo ???
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01 Jul 13, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Providing the right nutrients is vitally important in order to maximise plant growth and yield.
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25 Jun 13, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I want to start garlic farming. I live in Cato Ridge. KZN. Where in or near this area can I get good quality garlic to plant. I live in a valley which gets quite cold during from julne onwards
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28 Sep 13, Chantel Fourie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You can order online from Livingseeds.co.za
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03 Nov 13, Shumani (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have loose garlic cloves for sale. Where can I sell these?
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Showing 631 - 640 of 919 comments
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Hi,my wife and i are first time growers of Russian garlic,my question is.we planted our garlic 2 weeks ago to the day so far only one seed has germinated.We soaked our garlic in seasol overnight prior to planting n a garden soil bought from local landscape supplier and mixed with natural occurring soil on our property.We watered the garlic in after planting and put a thin cover of sugarcane mulch over them, that first week only watered one more time the second week had 3-4 days of rain.Do you think there is a problem as only one shoot has penetrated the soil out of 630 planted,am i worrying about nothing will the rest of the cloves germinate in days or weeks to come should i keep watering should i not.thank you

- geoffrey Neely

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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. Gardenate 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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