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

03 Aug 24, Faithn (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I 've planted garlic in zone 9a several years & they do great. Softneck & some hard necks are fine to plant in fall for Spring harvest. I recently used Keen organics to buy garlic to plant. There are several good distributors on the net. Keen has great advice. Read it. You can grow garlic successfully.
29 Oct 23, Christina (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I’m in 9b, central California and I have grown garlic for a few years. I “plant on the shortest day of the year, harvest on the longest day.” It has worked. Originally I just started with some organic grocery store garlic clusters, but now I save them from one year for the next.
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
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
01 Sep 23, Patty Johnson (USA - Zone 10b climate)
What variety of garlic will grow best in Zones 10 A/B? Hardneck/softneck, etc. there are so many varieties to choose from. Thx
Showing 11 - 20 of 132 comments

How deep shoul garlic be planted. Should I plant the cloves 6 inches deep or 2 inches deep?

- Gail Ceresia

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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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