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 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

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30 May 14, Osman (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
1. When is the best time to plant garlic to Northern Kenya 2. How long will it take from the planing date to the harvesting date 3. What type of Garlic is the best to plant in Northern Kenya I will appreciate your answers please Thank you
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17 May 14, Tom (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where in south africa can i find a reliable supplier of garlic seeds for commercial growing..
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01 Oct 14, S (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Try Garlic Growers Association South Africa. www.garlicgrowers.co.za
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12 May 14, Jose Alvares (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I planted garlic in March The 3th how long do I need to pick it Johannesburg
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13 May 14, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Harvest garlic in early summer, when the lower leaves have turned yellow and die off. You can dig down gently along side the plants to check if they have formed bulbs before you pull them up.
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27 Mar 14, Bongani Miya (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where do I get seeds for garlic
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28 Mar 14, fleur (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
living seeds. look online. or at nurseries in section with bulbs
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22 Mar 14, R Craig (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Garlic bought is supermarkets is usually imported from China, and has been irradiated and will not grow, have tried without success. Found nursery near Montecasino in Sandton, owner of which grew garlic at home and sold the excess, he told me about this. Best places to look are nurseries or small greengrocers.
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03 Mar 14, Jenny (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
When can i plant garlic in Durban? I have tried to plant it in March but all died? why?
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23 Feb 14, Sam (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
When can I plant garlic in Hermanus and should I work plenty of manure in before planting.??
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Showing 131 - 140 of 163 comments
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One other company for great Garlic is garlicworld.com. They are based in Port Campbell in Victoria, Simon and his wife.I got some lovely Californis purple from them. Not sure if they'd have any left now. A couple of years ago, I got some Purple garlic which came from Chile. I really don't like to buy out of area stuff, but I figured it would be a one off, and haven't bought much since, except for the garlicworld stuff. Melanie, the garlic is ready when the top wilts and leans over, as Jen has said. Sometimes, the plant goes into flowering mode, but usually not, usually it just falls over. The stem that falls is the bit you use to tie it up with, so if you let it die too much, you won't get the protective outer skin, or something to plait it with. I tend to wait until it looks a bit ratty, but hasn't died completely, about a week or so after it keels over. Then I dig it up, don't pull it from the stem, I learned that lesson the first year.!! Hope this helps.

- Adam

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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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