How to Grow Garlic: From Planting Cloves to Harvest

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow: you plant single cloves in autumn, leave them through winter, and dig up full bulbs the following summer. The two keys are planting at the right time, so cloves get the winter cold they need to split into new cloves, and good drainage.

When to Plant

Plant in autumn about 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes: typically late September to October in USDA zones 3–6, October to November in zones 7–8, and November to December in mild zones 9–10. In the Southern Hemisphere, plant from March to May. Spring planting is possible, but bulbs are smaller.

Choosing Seed Garlic

Buy garlic sold for planting, from a variety suited to your climate, and plant the largest cloves. Supermarket garlic is often a softneck variety grown in a different climate and may carry diseases.

Hardneck vs Softneck

• Hardneck: produces a flower stalk (scape), fewer but larger cloves, rich flavour, very cold hardy, stores 4–6 months.
• Softneck: no scape, more cloves, milder, best for warm climates, braids well and stores 9–12 months.

Planting

Plant cloves pointed end up, about 5 cm (2 in) deep (up to 10 cm in very cold zones), 10–15 cm (4–6 in) apart in rows 30 cm (12 in) apart. Mulch with straw after the ground cools.

Feeding and Watering

Work compost into the bed before planting and give nitrogen in early spring as growth resumes. Water regularly in spring while bulbs swell; stop watering 2–3 weeks before harvest.

Scapes

Hardneck garlic sends up curly scapes in late spring. Cut them when they curl to direct energy into the bulb; they are delicious in pesto and stir-fries.

Harvest and Curing

Harvest in early to mid summer when the lower third to half of the leaves have turned brown. Lift bulbs with a fork, cure them for 2–4 weeks in a shady, airy place, then trim and store.

All Garlic Growing Guides

• When to plant garlic by zone
• Hardneck vs softneck garlic and varieties
• How to plant garlic cloves
• Garlic scapes
• When to harvest and cure garlic
• How to store garlic
• Why garlic bulbs are small
• Garlic fertilizer
• Garlic diseases and pests

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant garlic?

In autumn, about 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes.

How long does garlic take to grow?

About 8–9 months from autumn planting to summer harvest.

Can I plant garlic from the grocery store?

It may grow, but planting garlic from a local supplier gives bigger, healthier bulbs.

Can I grow garlic in pots?

Yes, in a container at least 20 cm (8 in) deep with cloves 10 cm apart.