How to Plant Garlic in Autumn in the UK – Complete Growing Guide
/wp:heading wp:paragraphPlanting garlic in autumn is one of the easiest and most rewarding jobs you can do in your garden or allotment. While many gardeners are winding down for winter, October and November are actually two of the best months to get your garlic cloves into the ground ready for next year’s harvest.
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Garlic is a fantastic crop for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. It takes up relatively little space, needs minimal attention during winter and can reward you with beautiful homegrown bulbs the following summer.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphHere at Gardening with Ben, I love making the most of the allotment throughout autumn and winter. Planting garlic is a brilliant way to keep those vegetable beds productive while preparing for another growing season.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphIn this complete UK garlic growing guide, I’ll explain when to plant garlic, how deep to plant the cloves, the best spacing, how to prepare your soil, how to care for your plants and how to harvest and store your garlic successfully.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWhether you’re planting in ordinary garden soil, raised beds or containers, these tips will help you get started.
/wp:paragraph wp:headingQuick Guide to Planting Garlic in Autumn
/wp:heading wp:paragraphIf you’re looking for the essential information before heading outside to plant your garlic, here’s everything you need to know.
/wp:paragraph wp:table| Growing requirement | Recommended advice |
|---|---|
| Best planting months | October, November and December |
| Suitable position | Full sun |
| Soil | Fertile, well-drained soil |
| Planting depth | Pointed tip approximately 2.5cm below the surface |
| Distance between cloves | Approximately 15cm |
| Distance between rows | Approximately 30cm |
| Watering | Keep moist during active growth, avoiding waterlogging |
| Feeding | Prepare fertile soil; feed in spring if needed |
| Harvesting | Late spring to summer, depending on variety |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Why Autumn Is the Best Time to Plant Garlic in the UK
/wp:heading wp:paragraphOne of the biggest advantages of planting garlic in autumn is that many garlic varieties benefit from a period of colder weather.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphThis cold exposure helps encourage the bulb to divide into separate cloves, an important part of producing a good harvest.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphBy planting during October or November, you’re giving the garlic time to develop roots before the main growing season begins.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphAlthough growth above the ground may slow during winter, the plant can establish itself and be ready to grow strongly when temperatures rise in spring.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Benefits of Autumn Garlic Planting
/wp:heading wp:paragraphThere are several good reasons to plant garlic during autumn:
/wp:paragraph wp:list- Stronger establishment: The cloves have time to develop roots before spring.
- Good bulb development: Many varieties benefit from winter cold.
- Productive winter beds: Garlic makes use of ground that might otherwise remain empty.
- Low maintenance: Once established, garlic generally needs little attention during winter.
- A summer harvest: Autumn planting can produce mature bulbs the following year.
- Excellent storage potential: Properly cured garlic can provide useful supplies for months.
For UK allotment holders, garlic is a particularly useful vegetable because it fits easily into an autumn planting schedule.
/wp:paragraph wp:headingWhen Should You Plant Garlic in the UK?
/wp:heading wp:paragraphThe best time to plant garlic in the UK depends on the variety, your local weather and the condition of your soil.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphMost autumn-planting garlic varieties can be planted between October and December, with some suitable for planting later.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphAlways check the planting advice supplied with your chosen bulbs.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Planting Garlic in October
/wp:heading wp:paragraphOctober is a fantastic month to plant garlic.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphThe soil can still retain some warmth from summer, helping cloves start developing roots before winter arrives.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphIf you’re gardening in Yorkshire or another northern part of the UK, try to choose a reasonably dry day when the soil is workable.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphAvoid digging or planting into extremely wet, sticky ground.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Planting Garlic in November
/wp:heading wp:paragraphNovember is another excellent time to plant autumn garlic.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphAs long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, garlic can still establish successfully.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphIf your allotment has heavy clay soil that becomes saturated during winter, consider using raised beds or starting garlic in modules under cover.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Can You Plant Garlic in December?
/wp:heading wp:paragraphYes! Many autumn garlic varieties can still be planted in December.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphGarlic doesn’t require warm weather to establish, although excessively wet or frozen conditions can make planting difficult.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphSome varieties are also suitable for late-winter or spring planting, so check the information provided by your supplier.
/wp:paragraph wp:headingChoosing the Best Garlic Varieties for UK Gardens
/wp:heading wp:paragraphBefore planting, it’s important to understand that not all garlic is the same.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphThe two main types gardeners commonly grow are hardneck and softneck garlic.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Hardneck Garlic
/wp:heading wp:paragraphHardneck garlic produces a firm central flowering stalk and often develops fewer, larger cloves.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphIt usually has a strong flavour and is particularly popular with gardeners growing garlic in cooler climates.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphHardneck varieties can produce curly flowering stems known as garlic scapes, which can be harvested and used in cooking.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphPopular hardneck varieties include:
/wp:paragraph wp:list- Carcassonne Wight
- Lautrec Wight
- Red Duke
Hardneck garlic generally doesn’t store for quite as long as many softneck varieties.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Softneck Garlic
/wp:heading wp:paragraphSoftneck garlic is popular because it often produces bulbs with numerous cloves and can have a relatively long storage life.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphIt normally doesn’t develop the same hard central flower stalk.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphSome softneck varieties can be dried and plaited together for storage.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphPopular varieties include:
/wp:paragraph wp:list- Solent Wight
- Germidour
- Cristo
- Arno
Can You Grow Garlic from Supermarket Bulbs?
/wp:heading wp:paragraphAlthough supermarket garlic can sometimes grow, I’d recommend using certified or reputable seed garlic intended for planting.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphGarlic sold for eating may not be suitable for your growing conditions and can introduce pests or diseases into your garden.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphBuying named varieties from a trusted gardening supplier gives you a better idea of what you’re planting and when it should be harvested.
/wp:paragraph wp:headingPreparing the Soil Before Planting Garlic
/wp:heading wp:paragraphGood soil preparation is one of the most important steps in successful garlic growing.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphGarlic prefers fertile soil with good drainage. It doesn’t like sitting in waterlogged conditions throughout winter.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}1. Choose a Sunny Location
/wp:heading wp:paragraphSelect an area of your garden or allotment that receives plenty of sunshine during the growing season.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphGarlic performs best in full sun, so avoid heavily shaded beds where possible.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}2. Remove Weeds
/wp:heading wp:paragraphBefore planting, remove existing weeds from the area.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphGarlic has relatively narrow leaves and can struggle when competing with vigorous weeds.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphClearing the ground now makes maintenance much easier during spring.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}3. Improve the Soil
/wp:heading wp:paragraphIf your soil needs improving, add well-rotted garden compost or another suitable source of organic matter.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphThis helps improve soil structure and can support healthy growth.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphAvoid using fresh manure directly around newly planted cloves.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}4. Check the Drainage
/wp:heading wp:paragraphGood drainage is essential for overwintering garlic.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphIf your soil regularly becomes waterlogged, consider planting in raised beds or modules instead.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphGarlic grown in saturated ground may develop rot before it has a chance to establish properly.
/wp:paragraph wp:headingHow to Plant Garlic in Autumn – Step-by-Step Instructions
/wp:heading wp:paragraphNow comes the exciting part: getting your garlic planted!
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphYou don’t need specialist equipment, and the whole process is straightforward.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Step 1: Separate the Garlic Cloves
/wp:heading wp:paragraphTake your garlic bulb and carefully separate it into individual cloves.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphLeave the papery skin around each clove intact.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphChoose healthy, firm cloves without signs of mould, softness or damage.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphLarger cloves are generally preferable for planting.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Step 2: Prepare Your Planting Rows
/wp:heading wp:paragraphMark out rows approximately 30cm apart.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphLeave around 15cm between individual garlic cloves.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphThis spacing gives each bulb room to develop and makes it easier to weed between plants.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Step 3: Plant the Cloves the Right Way Up
/wp:heading wp:paragraphThis is an important step for beginners.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphEach garlic clove has a flat base and a pointed tip.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphPlant the flat base downwards and the pointed end facing upwards.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphThe roots develop from the base, while the shoot grows from the pointed tip.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Step 4: Plant at the Correct Depth
/wp:heading wp:paragraphPosition each garlic clove so the pointed tip sits approximately 2.5cm below the soil surface.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphYou may need to adjust this slightly depending on your soil conditions.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphAvoid planting unnecessarily deeply in heavy, wet soil.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Step 5: Cover with Soil
/wp:heading wp:paragraphCarefully cover the garlic cloves with soil.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphGently firm the surface without compacting it heavily.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphIf the soil is already moist from autumn rain, you may not need to water immediately.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {“level”:3}Step 6: Add a Plant Label
/wp:heading wp:paragraphLabel your garlic with the variety and planting date.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:heading