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: 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 up in spring.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised 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.

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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Pests which Affect Garlic

Plant Diseases which Affect Garlic