Learn · Garlic
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How to Grow Garlic in the UK

Garlic is one of the most straightforward crops you can grow. Plant it in autumn, ignore it through winter, and pull it up in June or July. A small bed can supply a whole year's worth.

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

MethodFromToNotes
Autumn planting (recommended)OctoberNovemberBest method. Cold period essential for bulb development.
Winter plantingDecemberJanuaryPossible but later, smaller harvest.
Spring plantingFebruaryMarchOnly 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

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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.
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White rot
ACT NOW

White 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

→ How to Plan Crop Rotation on an Allotment→ How to Grow Onions in the UK→ When to Harvest Garlic in the UK

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