Garlic asks for almost nothing over its ten-month growing season, which makes it one of the most forgiving crops you can plant.
Garlic is planted as individual cloves in autumn rather than started from seed, and needs a spell of cold weather to trigger proper bulb formation. It’s a low-effort crop for most of the year, needing little beyond weeding until it’s ready to lift.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | Plant in October | Plant in November | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in July | Harvest in August |
Care details
- Harvest July – August
Lift once the lower leaves start to yellow.
- Plant October – November
Plant cloves now — garlic needs a spell of cold to form good bulbs.
Growing tips & common problems
- Choose a variety bred for the UK rather than supermarket bulbs, which are often unsuited to the climate.
- Plant into free-draining soil — waterlogged ground over winter is the most common cause of rot.
- Stop watering once the leaves start to yellow, to help the bulbs cure properly.
Grows well with
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