Garlic Growing Guide

Allium sativum

Garlic

Crop Rotation Group

Allium (Onion family) ●

Soil

Fertile soil enriched with plenty of compost.

Position

Sunny.

Frost tolerant

Yes.

Feeding

Not usually required.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 10cm (3") with 25cm (9") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Grow from cloves planted direct into holes with the pointed end facing up. Spring-planted garlic either needs to have a period of frost, or to have been pre-chilled before planting.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Many varieties require a cooler period with temperatures under 10 degrees Celcius for the first one or two months.

Harvesting

Lever bulbs up from the soil with a hand fork when leaves start to turn yellow. Clean them and let them dry out over a few days before storing.

Troubleshooting

Watch for winter weeds. Plants left in the ground too long often have loose bulbs that do not store well.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Plant Diseases which Affect Garlic