How to Grow Garlic

Beginner-Friendly

Allium sativum

A long-season allium planted in fall for summer harvest. Hardneck types produce scapes. Stores well after curing.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
180–240 days
typical
Per Square Foot
9
Plant Spacing
10 cm / 4"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
moderate feeder

Growing Notes

Plant cloves in fall, 6–8 weeks before ground freezes. Mulch heavily. Harvest when lower leaves brown.

Varieties & Cultivars

9 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Allium ampeloprasum

(1)
Elephant
240–270 days Open-Pollinated

4-6 huge cloves; not true garlic

Height
24–48" (61–122 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
7.1 oz (200 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
5–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years

Hardneck

(4)
Chesnok Red
240–260 days Open-Pollinated

one of the best baking garlics; stores 5-7 months

Height
18–30" (46–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.9 oz (55 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years
German Extra Hardy
240–270 days Open-Pollinated

extremely cold hardy; stores 8-10 months

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.3 oz (65 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–8
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years
Music
240–270 days Open-Pollinated

stores up to 9 months

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.1 oz (60 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years
Spanish Roja
210–250 days Open-Pollinated

rich true garlic flavour; stores 4-6 months

Height
18–30" (46–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.8 oz (50 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–8
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years

Hardneck porcelain type

(1)
Georgian Fire
240–270 days Open-Pollinated

complex hot flavour; good storage; AAS winner

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.2 oz (35 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years

Hardneck rocambole type

(1)
Purple Crest
240–270 days Open-Pollinated

mild flavour; good for fresh eating; excellent spring planting

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 oz (30 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years

Softneck

(2)
California Early
240–260 days Open-Pollinated

excellent for braiding

Height
15–18" (38–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.8 oz (50 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
5–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years
Inchelium Red
250–270 days Open-Pollinated

1990 Rodale taste test winner

Height
15–18" (38–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.1 oz (60 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
5–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
1 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside garlic, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Swiss Chard : Garlic deters aphids from chard
Kale : Garlic deters flea beetles and aphids from kale
Spinach : Garlic deters aphids from spinach
Brussels Sprouts : Garlic deters aphids and cabbage worms from brussels sprouts
Artichoke : Garlic deters aphids that commonly attack artichoke buds
Pepper : Garlic deters aphids from peppers
Tomato : Garlic deters red spider mites from tomatoes
Cabbage : Garlic deters cabbage pests
Turnip : Garlic deters flea beetles and aphids from turnips
Lettuce : Garlic deters aphids from lettuce
Eggplant : Garlic deters flea beetles from eggplant
Potato : Garlic deters potato beetles and fungal diseases
Beet : Garlic improves beet growth and repels pests
Strawberry : Garlic deters spider mites and fungal diseases; strong scent confuses pests
Cauliflower : Garlic deters cabbage pests from cauliflower
Rhubarb : Garlic deters rhubarb crown borers and fungal diseases

Keep Apart

Beans : Garlic inhibits bean growth
Peas : Garlic inhibits pea growth
Asparagus : Garlic root exudates may stunt asparagus crown development

Square Foot Spacing

9 per sq ft

4" apart (3×3 grid)

View full spacing chart →

Ready to grow garlic?

Plan your garden with exact spacing and zone-specific planting dates. An AI companion helps with the rest.

Start Planning Free →