Garlic Growing Month-by-Month: What to Do and When

Introduction

Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow in the UK. It doesn’t take up much space, it stores well, and it transforms your cooking with unbeatable flavour. But to get the very best results, garlic needs to be grown with the seasons in mind. Timing is everything — from planting to watering, feeding, and harvesting.

This month-by-month guide will walk you through the entire garlic growing cycle so you know exactly what to do and when. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, following this calendar will ensure you enjoy a plentiful harvest of plump, flavourful bulbs year after year.

Garlic Growing Month-by-Month Calendar

September

• Prepare beds: Clear weeds and enrich soil with compost or well-rotted manure.
• Choose varieties: Hardneck types like Carcassonne Wight or softneck types like Solent Wight.
• Early planting option: In mild parts of the UK, cloves can be planted at the end of September.

October

• Prime planting month: October is one of the very best months to plant garlic in the UK.
• How to plant: Break bulbs into cloves. Plant pointy end up, 2–3cm deep, 10–15cm apart.
• Protection: Use fleece or cloches to deter birds from pulling up cloves.

November

• Late autumn planting: Still a reliable month to plant garlic if you missed October.
• Soil check: Ensure ground is not waterlogged; use raised beds if drainage is poor.
• Mulch: Apply a thin mulch of straw or leaves to protect young shoots.

December

• Last chance for autumn planting: In milder areas, garlic can still be planted.
• Container sowing: If soil is frozen or wet, start cloves in pots under cover.
• Maintenance: Keep an eye on birds and frost lifting cloves. Re-firm if needed.

January

• Slow growth stage: Garlic remains dormant but roots are developing underground.
• Check for frost damage: Replace protective fleece if weather turns severe.
• Weed watch: Remove weeds before they outcompete young garlic shoots.

February

• Spring planting option: Plant spring varieties like Cristo or Early Purple Wight.
• Soil preparation: Fork in compost and ensure drainage is good.
• Fertiliser: Apply a general purpose feed to encourage root growth.

March

• Spring garlic: Continue planting until mid-March in most regions.
• Feed: Apply high-potassium fertiliser (like tomato feed).
• Watering: Begin regular watering in dry spells as growth picks up.

April

• Rapid growth: Garlic shoots lengthen quickly.
• Weeding: Keep rows clear of weeds.
• Mulching: Add a light mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

May

• Hardneck scapes: If growing hardneck garlic, flower stalks (scapes) may appear.
• Remove scapes: Snip them off to redirect energy into bulbs (they are edible).
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during bulb formation.

June

• Bulb swelling stage: Garlic bulbs are now fattening underground.
• Reduce watering: Ease off as leaves begin to yellow.
• Check readiness: Harvest trial bulbs to check size and maturity.

July

• Harvest time: Most autumn-planted garlic is ready now.
• How to harvest: Loosen soil with a fork and lift bulbs gently.
• Curing: Lay bulbs in a dry, airy place out of direct sun for 2–3 weeks.

August

• Storage: Once cured, brush off excess soil and store bulbs in a cool, ventilated space.
• Braiding: Softneck garlic can be plaited and hung.
• Save seed: Keep the best bulbs for planting in autumn.
• Plan ahead: Review what worked this year and order new varieties for September.

Tips for Year-Round Garlic Success

• Always rotate crops — avoid planting garlic or onions in the same bed for at least 3 years.
• Choose locally adapted varieties for the best performance.
• Avoid supermarket garlic, which may carry disease.
• Be patient — garlic takes 8–9 months from planting to harvest.

Conclusion

Growing garlic is simple, but knowing what to do month by month makes the process much easier and more rewarding. From planting in autumn, nurturing growth in spring, harvesting in summer, and storing through the rest of the year, garlic follows a natural cycle that any gardener can master.

By following this calendar, you’ll be able to enjoy bigger, tastier bulbs, keep your plot productive, and ensure a steady supply of garlic for your kitchen. Once you’ve experienced the satisfaction of harvesting your own homegrown garlic, you’ll want to grow it every year.

Top 10 Questions About Garlic Growing Month-by-Month

1. What month is best to plant garlic in the UK?
October is considered the best month, but September to November works well.

2. Can I plant garlic in spring instead of autumn?
Yes, February–March planting works with spring varieties, but bulbs may be smaller.

3. How long does garlic take to grow?
Around 8–9 months from planting to harvest.

4. Should I water garlic over winter?
No — winter rain is usually sufficient. Resume watering in spring.

5. What fertiliser is best for garlic?
A general feed at planting, followed by high-potassium fertiliser in spring.

6. When do garlic scapes appear?
Hardneck garlic scapes usually appear in May–June.

7. How do I know when garlic is ready to harvest?
Leaves turn yellow and begin to flop over.

8. Can I grow garlic in pots?
Yes, as long as the container is deep (20cm+) and well-drained.

9. How long will garlic store after harvest?
Softneck garlic can store 6–9 months, hardneck around 3–5 months.

10. Should I save bulbs for next year’s planting?
Yes — keep the biggest, healthiest bulbs to replant in autumn.