How to Plant Garlic: Depth, Spacing, Beds and Containers

Plant garlic individual cloves, pointed end up, about 5 cm (2 in) deep and 10–15 cm (4–6 in) apart, in loose, well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Separate the bulb just before planting and keep the papery skin on each clove.

Step by Step

1. Choose a sunny spot where onions or garlic did not grow in the last 3 years.
2. Loosen the soil 20–25 cm deep and mix in compost.
3. Break bulbs into cloves a day or two before planting; keep the largest.
4. Push cloves in, flat base down, tip up, 5 cm deep (7–10 cm in very cold areas).
5. Space 10–15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart, or in a grid 15 cm each way.
6. Water once, then mulch with 5–10 cm of straw or leaves once the ground is cold.

How Much Garlic to Plant

Each clove grows into one bulb. A typical bulb gives 6–12 plantable cloves, so for 50 bulbs next year, plant about 5–8 bulbs' worth of large cloves.

Raised Beds

Raised beds are ideal: they drain well and warm quickly in spring. Use the same spacing.

Pots and Grow Bags

• Use a container at least 20–25 cm (8–10 in) deep with drainage holes.
• Fill with good potting mix plus compost.
• Space cloves 10 cm apart; a 30 cm pot holds about 5–6 cloves.
• Keep pots outside so they get winter cold; protect from severe freezing.
• Water when the top 3 cm is dry.

Indoors

Indoors, garlic rarely forms good bulbs because it lacks cold and light, but you can grow cloves on a windowsill for green garlic shoots.

More Garlic Guides

• How to Grow Garlic: The Complete Guide
• Garlic scapes
• When to harvest and cure garlic
• How to store garlic

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep do you plant garlic?

About 5 cm (2 in), up to 10 cm in very cold regions.

Should you peel garlic before planting?

No, plant cloves with their skins on.

How far apart should garlic be planted?

10–15 cm (4–6 in) in rows 30 cm apart.