Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  P P P P       P P P  

(Best months for growing Garlic in Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate regions)

  • P = Plant cloves
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Canada | for all countries
25 Aug 17, Nico (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I would like to know in very dry and hot climates will garlic produce if irrigated and how much water does a garlic plant needs
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Aug 17, Lois (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I grow garlic near Mooi River in the Natal Midland [ Dec and Jan ave temps 27 deg and 26 deg C] We have frost in winter. Coldest month is June [ave temp 14 deg C] Should it be grown in tunnels or would shade houses suffice? We sometimes experience hail storms. ]
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Jul 17, Soola Thoo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can I put garlic gloves into soil in July/august and still be able to get harvest?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jul 17, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is possible to grow Galic along RichardsbBay area.If possible at what time of the year.What type of soil is the best to grow it
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Jul 17, Man (Australia - temperate climate)
garlic is not for july, but for February, march and april. hope I helped!
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jun 17, Gregory (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can garlic be plant in northern cape
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jun 17, Johan Fernandes (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Witch cultivar (name) is the most popular one to plant? Where can i find cloves? Is Febr - March the wright time to plant? Can i buy cloves from the fresh market?
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Jun 17, Beverly Hartman (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where in SA can garlic bulbs for planting be bought in bulk?
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Jun 17, Jan van der Merwe (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi I am farming in Montagu western cape. Can someone please advise me whether garlic could be grown in this area and if so can i still plant for the curent season.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Apr 17, Kobus (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I'm a blind person and want to plant garlic. I'm looking for as much info as possible on the cultivation of garlic, but it looks like I'm at a dead-end. I found an address on the web, but they just don't answer my mails. Where can I get information please?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 61 - 70 of 163 comments
See comments for all plants

Hi, we have been growing garlic now for 5 years on a pretty small scale, about 1 acre. Have been to field days, read literature & spent too many hours looking on the net. This has to be one of the most frustrating things I have ever been involved with. Some say it is swamp plant & you can't over water, others say to let them dry out a few times as it encourages growth. Heaps of fertilizer, very little fertilizer, sandy soil is best, loam is best etc. etc. Like an earlier post let the bulb tell you, ha ha. But it is true. For our purple garlic plant in March April with mild fertilizer, we use blood & bone. We water as you would any other plant, use a moisture meter or stick you fingers in the soil to see how dry/wet it is. Occasionally top dress with b&b. Pull one out every few weeks & see what it says. One thing that is common to all advice is to not water for the last 3-4 weeks (noted when the leaves start to turn yellow & die off) as this will produce a very slimy skin not easy to work with & hard to stop rot. Again pull one up & have a look at what it's doing, it will let you know same as a citrus, potato or anything else. Just takes time to get to know it. Hope this adds to the confusion, I know I still am.

- John

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.