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 New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant cloves
  • 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

17 Jan 16, Becky (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I live in Ponte Vedra (about 15 miles south of Jacksonville Beach). I grew a little bit of garlic last year in our raised garden bed. It didn't seem to have a lot of flavor. I see that you don't recommend garlic for zone 9B. Why is that?
05 Apr 21, Jack Benimble (USA - Zone 9b climate)
It gets so hot in 9b you have to have a shaded area that receives sunlight. 8 hours in the blazing Florida sun cooks the soil and roots. The hot temperatures that can begin as early as March-April heat up the soil and accelerates growth too quickly which results in smaller bulbs
08 Jan 16, Louise (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
What type of soil and pH level for garlic? Do they like a lot of water We are on the south coast, kwa-zulu natal.
19 Oct 15, Suzette van Jaarsveld (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Planted Garlic April 2015 Namaqualand 40km from the coast of Hondeklipbay.. When should I harvest? Plants started to fall to the ground/lay flat. What can be the reason.
04 Oct 15, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
I have forgotten to plant my garlic , but have garlic nodes that are shooting out of the soil. The temp is 10-30 most days and the garden only gets sun til midday.
22 Sep 15, Sharoomadee Naidoo (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi, when should I start planting garlic in MALAWI (Mulanje). Thanks.
10 Aug 15, Pam (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I buy my seeds online from Living Seeds which supply organic seeds and products. I have had great success with their seeds. I recently found another site called Organic Seeds, but have not as yet bought from them. Both sites have a large variety of all vegetables, Cape Gooseberry and other seeds. Both sites offer assistance from growing, to product use etc.
02 Aug 15, PERCY KAGISO MARUMO (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
WHICH IS THE BEST GARLIC VARIETY THAT CAN BE GROWING IN BOTSWANA ?
10 Jul 15, Arthur Makhalemele (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
where do I get garlic seeds or bulbs in south Africa?
17 Jun 15, Wendy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was rod to leave in the ground/pot for 2 years before harvesting Is this correct
Showing 531 - 540 of 917 comments

Lucky for you, you're in the same climate zone as the famous garlic producing town of Gilroy, CA. I understand they plant around late October/November and harvest in June or July. I'm not sure what the result will be for you since you planted yours later and garlic needs a very long season. Try pulling them up in July. If your weather gets very hot before then I'd put some light shade cloth over the garlic to bring the temperature down a few degrees. You may find that your bulbs are smaller than you hoped for, or that it only makes one large clove instead of separate cloves. They should still be good, just not ideal. Then try planting again around Halloween and your garlic should be much bigger next year. Btw, I'm not sure why the chart says garlic shouldn't be planted in 9a. Certainly 9a on the West Coast can and does plant it.

- Anonymous

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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. GardenGrow 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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