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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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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16 May 13, chanel (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
We live in Kokstad which is perfect for the garlic, cold, dry, snow etc. Can anyone tell me if i would need to maltch the garlic, (it gets freezing and snows here) Boarder EC & KZN My first time and the shoots are doing very well!! Thanks appreciate feedback.
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21 Apr 13, Violet (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
My garlic has been in pots for 6 months. How do I know when to harvest. Does the stem have to turn brown. I live in the Southern Cape
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06 Apr 13, joseph morris (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
can you use cloves bought from supermarket as seed and how do youknow when seed is ready. where would one get seed i live in port st johns eastern cape
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09 Mar 13, Kelly (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
www.garlicgrowers.co.za
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24 Feb 13, Mah Kib (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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02 Feb 13, Sibusiso Mkhize (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have a 2 hector piece of land at Umbumbulu area that I would like to grow galic commecialy. I would like to know if there are organisations that can assist me with training, finance and markets?
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20 Jan 13, paul wight (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can one plant garilic in stellenbosch with sucsess and is worth while
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08 Jan 13, Paul Jonas (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I would like to know how many plants of Garlic can you grow in hacter, and also to know how tonnes of Garlic can you harvest and also to know the approximate cost of the yeild
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Showing 151 - 160 of 163 comments
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Just remember to only select the largest cloves and eat all the small ones for yourself. The cloves determine the size of the harvested garlic. If you select only the largest cloves then as the garlic grows and the protective outer cloves develop around the centrally planted seed, they will develop to a size that matches the original clove you plant. Small clove = small yield. Large cloves = much larger yield. Being selective about saving only the very best and largest seeds for many different types of plants is going to serve you well. I think my kids are always slightly disappointed that we always have to 'eat the mistakes' while the very best of what we grow is saved as seed for an even better harvest next year. I guess it is the same principle as animal husbandry.

- Christian

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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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