Garlic
Allium sativum
Garlic is the backbone of the kitchen garden and one of the easiest crops to grow. Plant in autumn, largely ignore through winter, and harvest magnificent bulbs the following summer.
SowingDirect sow
Sunlight☀️ Full sun
Water💧 Low
Days to harvest150–240
Soil pH6–7.5
Spacing15cm × 30cm
Planting Calendar
🌏 Adjusted for southern hemisphere seasons.
Sow indoorsSow outdoorsTransplantHarvest
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Varieties
Choose between softneck varieties (better storage, no scapes) and hardneck varieties (more flavour, produce edible flower scapes). Use bulbs from a reputable supplier, not supermarket garlic which may carry disease.Planting
Separate bulbs into individual cloves just before planting. Plant pointed end upward, tip just below the soil surface. In heavy soils, plant in modules of compost and transplant as young plants.Winter Care
Garlic needs a cold period (vernalisation) to form good bulbs — autumn planting is ideal. Weed regularly. In late spring, remove flower scapes (hardneck) to direct energy into bulb development (scapes are delicious in stir-fries).Soil: Free-draining soil in an open, sunny position. Garlic dislikes cold, wet soils