How to Plant Garlic

Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow. It thrives in cool, sunny conditions and takes about 8–9 months from planting to harvest.
There are two main types:

• Hardneck – strong flavour, fewer but larger cloves, can produce edible flower stems (scapes).

• Softneck – milder, keeps longer, produces more cloves.

🗓️ Month-by-Month Growing Guide (UK)

September

🌱 Preparation & Autumn Planting Begins

• Choose a sunny, well-drained bed — garlic dislikes waterlogging.

• Dig in well-rotted compost but avoid fresh manure.

• Break bulbs into individual cloves (keep papery skins on).

• Plant hardneck and overwintering varieties (‘Carcassonne Wight’, ‘Lautrec Wight’):

  • 2.5 cm deep, 15 cm apart, 30 cm between rows.

• Water lightly if dry, then cover with fleece or netting to deter birds.

October

🧄 Autumn Planting Peak

• Continue planting garlic if soil is workable.

• Mulch with compost or leaf mould to retain warmth.

• Check beds weekly — remove weeds early.

• Mark your rows clearly for easy care through winter.

November

🍂 Establishment

• Shoots may begin to appear; don’t worry if not — roots are forming below ground.

• Remove heavy leaf mulch once growth starts.

• Protect from waterlogging by raising the bed or improving drainage.

December

❄️ Resting Period

• Minimal growth this month.

• Check for frost heave — gently firm in any lifted cloves.

• Keep beds weed-free and well-drained.

January

🌿 Mid-Winter Maintenance

• Growth remains slow, but check soil drainage regularly.

• Clear debris to discourage pests like slugs and onion fly.

• Begin preparing nearby ground for spring sowings.

February

💧 Slow Growth

• As daylight increases, overwintered garlic begins to grow.

• Remove weeds that compete for nutrients.

• Feed with liquid seaweed or a general fertiliser if growth looks pale.

March

🌾 Spring Planting Option

• Plant softneck varieties (‘Solent Wight’, ‘Early Purple Wight’) if not already done.

• Water during dry spells to help bulbs establish.

• Feed with a balanced fertiliser like blood, fish & bone.

April

🌿 Strong Growth

• Garlic shoots lengthen rapidly.

• Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.

• Weed regularly and mulch lightly to retain moisture.

• Feed again with liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks.

May

☀️ Bulb Formation Begins

• Water deeply once a week during dry weather.

• Continue feeding until bulbs begin to swell.

• Stop feeding hardneck types if scapes appear — these can be harvested and eaten like mild garlic shoots.

June

🌾 Bulb Swelling

• Keep watering regularly, especially in dry periods.

• Remove weeds by hand — avoid disturbing the bulbs.

• Stop feeding now.

• Begin easing back on watering toward the end of the month to help bulbs mature.

July

🧄 Harvest Time

• Foliage starts to yellow and fall — a sign bulbs are ready.

• Choose a dry day and lift bulbs gently with a fork (don’t pull by leaves).

• Lay bulbs on the soil surface or in an airy shed to dry (cure) for 2–3 weeks.

August

🌞 Curing & Storage

• Once fully dry, trim roots and leaves, and brush off loose soil.

• Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated conditions.

• Save your best bulbs for next season’s planting.

• Prepare beds for autumn crops or green manures.

September (Next Year’s Start Again)

• The cycle begins anew — replant saved cloves in freshly prepared beds!

🌼 Key Growing Tips

• Sun: Full sun.

• Soil: Light, well-drained, enriched with compost.

• Spacing: 15 cm apart, 30 cm between rows.

• Watering: Regular but moderate; avoid waterlogging.

• Feeding: Liquid seaweed or all-purpose feed every 2–3 weeks in spring.

• Harvest: Mid-July (when lower leaves yellow).

• Storage: Cool, dry, dark place — lasts up to 6–9 months.

🌤 Tip of the Season

“Plant garlic when the air is crisp — it loves the cold start and will thank you with plump bulbs by midsummer.”