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Garlic
Allium sativum
Plant in autumn, forget about it, harvest fat bulbs the next summer.
Sun
Full sun
Water
Only if very dry in spring
Soil
Well-drained, pH 6.0–7.5
Spacing
15 cm apart
Days to harvest
8–9 months
Hardiness
Zones 3–8
Seasonal Calendar
S
S
H
H
S
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Split bulbs into cloves
Use the biggest outer cloves; save small inner ones for cooking.
- 2
Plant pointy end up
Push cloves 2–5 cm deep, spaced 15 cm apart, before hard frost.
- 3
Remove scapes
Snap off flower stalks on hardnecks in June — it forces bigger bulbs.
- 4
Harvest
Lift when the bottom 3–4 leaves have browned but 5 upper ones still green. Cure 3 weeks in shade.
Common problems
Rust
Wide spacing and airflow; remove badly affected leaves.
Small bulbs
Not enough cold or planted too late — always aim for an autumn planting.
Good neighbors
TomatoStrawberryRoseFruit trees
Field tips
- “Scapes are a treat — chop them into stir-fries or pesto.”
- “Save your best bulbs to replant — homegrown garlic adapts to your soil.”