Sow indoors
—
Sow direct
October – December
Plant out
—
Harvest
June – July
Days to maturity
240–270 days
Position
Full sun
Frost sensitive
No
Min soil temp
5°C
Sowing and planting calendar
| Method | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn planting (recommended) | October | November | Best method. Cold period essential for bulb development. |
| Winter planting | December | January | Possible but later, smaller harvest. |
| Spring planting | February | March | Only if autumn planting was missed. Produces smaller bulbs. |
Regional variation: Autumn planting works throughout the UK. In very cold northern areas, plant in early October to give cloves time to root before hard frosts.
Growing tips
Plant individual cloves, not whole bulbs
Break bulbs into individual cloves and plant each one pointed end up, 2cm deep, 15cm apart. The largest cloves produce the largest bulbs.
Garlic needs a cold period
Autumn planting is strongly recommended because the cold period (vernalisation) triggers proper bulb development. Spring-planted garlic often produces smaller bulbs.
Buy from a garden centre, not the supermarket
Supermarket garlic is often treated to prevent sprouting and may carry viruses. Use bulbs sold specifically for growing.
Remove flower scapes on hardneck varieties
Hardneck garlic sends up a curling flower stem (scape) in early summer. Snip this off when it curls — it redirects energy back into the bulb and tastes excellent stir-fried.
Common problems
Rust
Orange pustules on leaves, particularly in wet summers. Reduces vigour but rarely kills the plant.
Fix: Remove affected leaves. Improve spacing for better airflow. Harvest promptly.
White rot
ACT NOWWhite fluffy fungal growth at the base; leaves turn yellow and plants collapse. Persists in soil for decades.
Fix: Remove and destroy affected plants immediately. Do not grow alliums in that soil for many years.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant garlic in the UK?
October to November is ideal. The cold period helps trigger bulb formation. Spring planting is possible but usually produces smaller bulbs.
Hardneck or softneck garlic?
Hardneck varieties have superior flavour and produce edible scapes, but store for only 4–6 months. Softneck varieties store for up to a year and are better for plaiting.
How do I know when garlic is ready to harvest?
When the lower leaves turn yellow — usually June to July. Don't wait until all leaves are yellow or the bulb wrappers may start to deteriorate.
Related guides
Keep track of your garlic in Vercro
Add your garlic to a bed and Vercro keeps its story from planting to lifting. Each morning Today shows the jobs that matter in your garden, from how far along each crop is.
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