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. The cold period is essential for proper bulb development. |
| Spring planting | February | March | Only if autumn planting was missed. Produces smaller bulbs. |
Regional variation: Ireland's mild winters mean less risk of cloves rotting from waterlogging than from frost — good drainage matters more than cold protection here.
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 Ireland?
October to November is ideal. The cold period helps trigger bulb formation.
Hardneck or softneck garlic for Ireland?
Both grow well. Softneck stores longer and suits Ireland's damper storage conditions slightly better; hardneck has the edge on flavour.
How do I know when garlic is ready in Ireland?
When the lower leaves turn yellow — usually June to July.
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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