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

23 Sep 23, Sonya (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I would like to choose 2 types of softneck garlic. Any suggestions on which two to choose? I also heard about elephant garlic. If it will grow in 5B... I may just grow that type. ?????? Undecided!
29 Oct 23, Kevin K. (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Sonya, unfortunately soft neck garlic will not survive the winter in our hardiness zone. That means we get to grow hard neck garlic such as purple garlic or porcelain (music) garlic bulbs. Fortunately we still have time if we hurry.
22 Sep 23, Nora Jencks (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Is there any soft neck garlic varieties that I can grow in my zone (10a)
08 Jan 24, mohmedelsayd (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Short answer yes .. I live in near Cairo Egypt same as zone 10b i grow garlic .. it planted in October and harvest in March or April..
30 Sep 23, Serena (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I live in 10b, I've heard Inchelium Red might grow in my area. I'm trying it for the first time this year - don't have any hopes but you'll never know until you try
15 Sep 23, Susan miller (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My March/April garlic completely failed. Can I plant some more now (September).
20 Sep 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plant around mid -late June.
13 Sep 23, Deborah Quay (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I'm in zone 7b/8a. When should I plant garlic and what are the best types to plant in my zone?
19 Sep 23, (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Best to plant in February/March
09 Sep 23, Mario Dalli (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can a small complete bulb of garlic be replanted to grow larger in the next growing season.
Showing 21 - 30 of 908 comments

Just to clarify what I think I understand…. If I buy one bulb of garlic and break it apart into individual cloves, I plant each clove and expect to get a growing bulb. Am I one the right track here?

- Rhonda Bowen

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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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