Garlic Growing Guide

Allium sativum

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

Use hardy Rocambole types in cold climates. Where winters are mild, grow heavy-yielding artichoke types. Among the most deer-resistant of all edibles.

Harvesting

Lever garlic bulbs up with a hand fork when one-third of the leaves become dry and lose their green color. Shake off soil, and cure whole plants dry in a warm, shady place for two weeks before trimming and storing the garlic bulbs.