Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Garlic in South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical 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

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27 Nov 14, celia (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Trying a garden for garlic at home in campbell northern cape. The one lot's leaves look if it hang down on the ground. Litereally flat on the soil and not upright. We have very hot summers and very cold winters in the northen cape. Could somebody send me some tips or why the garlic hang so flat
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17 Nov 14, Koos Snyman (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
When to plant garlic . How to fireflies garlic . Spray garlic for pest.
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22 Oct 14, Gert olivier (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
We would like to plant garlic. Area is Bela Bela and we would like to find out where to purchase the seed pods. Our soil is clay, will this work and when should we plant Thanks
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12 Oct 14, Hannelie Burger (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am staying in Sutherland Northern Cape with very harsh snowy winters and thunder rain in summer on top of the Komsberg mountain range. Is it possible to plant garlic now in October and harvest before winter because our growing window is only between October and March. Which cultivar is the best for this conditions.
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16 Sep 14, Munodawafa SD Mutopo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to plant garlic in Zimbabwe at the altitude of over 1500m (the Highveld). The soils are clay-loam with clay content of less than 24%. When should I plant and which variety and what is the time to harvest. Any recommended fertilizer regime?
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20 Jun 14, nico nagel (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have a plot in vanderbijlpark. Will the garlic still grow if I plant it early in august?
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04 Jun 14, Phil Metter (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I planted garlic that had sprouted visible green shoots at the beginning of winter (April) they have withered. Will they regenerate themselves in the spring /summer? I live in Gauteng.
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27 Apr 15, Ric Langley (Australia - temperate climate)
Garlic does not regenerate. Now is the time to plant or start with new seed garlic at this time next year.
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26 Apr 15, dennis (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would also like a reply to the above question.
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31 May 14, Tumelo Racoco (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can i get the garlic?
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Showing 121 - 130 of 163 comments
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Will My Garlic Grow? I am in Venezuela. Normally its 25C peaking at 35C and we go between humid and soggy. I planted a bunch of garlic cloves that had already sprouted in containers on my balcony. They get a half day of direct sun and I'm watering them about every day and a half (when the soil looks dry, before the other herbs wilt) After 2 weeks they all have 5 - 10 cm growth, two have leaves that look grass like the other 5 look sprouty still (they have one twisty stalk thing that hasn't quite separated into leaves ) Should I persist with my garlic or should I rip it out and put in something that has half a chance? It was just an impulse plant when I realized that I had a clove that had sprouted so no big loss if they are a disaster, but I would feel like a super gardener if I could make something other than mint and basil grow.

- Gen

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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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