🧄 Garlic: Growing Guide
Garlic (Allium sativum) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at 0–29 °C (32–84 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 15 cm (5.9 in) apart. Expect 240–270 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Allium sativum |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 15 cm (5.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 0–29 °C (32–84 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 240–270 days |
| Sowing depth | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Sep–Nov · Harvest: Dec.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Dec.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Sep–Nov · Harvest: Dec.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Aug–Sep · Harvest: Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jul–Aug · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Sep · Harvest: Dec.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Aug–Sep · Harvest: Oct–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Little water, avoid overwatering.
Growing tips
Planted in autumn and harvested around June. Types: softneck and hardneck.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Garlic: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Sep–Nov · Harvest: Dec. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Dec. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Sep–Nov · Harvest: Dec.
Garlic: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Little water, avoid overwatering.
Garlic: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 15 cm (5.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 5 cm (2 in).
Garlic: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 240–270 days.
Garlic: which plants grow well with it?
Rose, Tomato, Strawberry, Any vegetable.
Plan your garden
Add Garlic to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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