Garlic Growing Guide

Allium sativum

Crop Rotation Group

Allium (Onion family) ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of compost added.

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

In fall, plant individual cloves 4 inches deep with the pointed ends up. Cover the planting with at least 3 inches of mulch.
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

Dig up bulbs in summer 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.