How to Grow Garlic in January: Tips, Advice, and Best Varieties
Growing garlic in January is not only possible in the UK — it’s often a smart catch-up option if autumn planting was missed. While garlic is traditionally planted in late autumn, January planting can still produce a strong, worthwhile crop when done correctly. The key is understanding soil conditions, variety choice, and realistic expectations.
Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
Seed Trays & Propagation Kits
View Seed Trays
Heated Propagators & Grow Lights
See Grow Lights
Seed Compost for Healthy Seedlings
View Compost
This guide explains exactly how to grow garlic in January, where it works best, which varieties to choose, how to plant successfully in cold conditions, and how to avoid the mistakes that cause poor bulb development.
⭐ Recommended Tools & Supplies for Growing Garlic in January
January garlic planting is all about drainage, protection, and patience. These essentials make winter planting far more reliable.
• Free-Draining Compost or Grit
Vital for improving heavy or wet winter soil and preventing cloves from rotting before they establish roots.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Garden Fork (Not a Spade)
Loosens soil gently and allows you to lift bulbs cleanly later in the season without damage.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Garden Fleece or Cloche
Useful during prolonged cold spells to protect newly planted cloves and prevent frost heave.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Plant Labels or Markers
Garlic grows slowly at first — labels prevent accidental disturbance later in winter.
👉 Click here to see top options
Can You Really Plant Garlic in January?
Yes — but January garlic behaves differently from autumn-planted garlic.
In January:
- Garlic focuses on root growth, not leaves
- Top growth is slow or delayed
- Bulbs may be slightly smaller than autumn-planted crops
- Yields are still very worthwhile
January planting is especially useful if:
- Autumn planting was missed
- You have free-draining soil
- You want a summer harvest rather than early summer
With correct planting, garlic planted in January still matures fully by summer.
Best Garlic Types for January Planting
Softneck Garlic (Best Choice)
Softneck garlic performs best when planted late.
Why softneck is ideal:
- Less dependent on long cold exposure
- More forgiving of delayed planting
- Better suited to milder winters
- Stores well after harvest
Popular softneck varieties for January:
- ‘Germidour’
- ‘Solent Wight’
- ‘Cristo’
Hardneck Garlic (Possible but Riskier)
Hardneck garlic prefers autumn planting but can still work in January if conditions are right.
Hardneck notes:
- Needs cold exposure (vernalisation)
- May produce smaller bulbs if winter is mild
- Better in colder UK regions
If planting hardneck in January, choose early and plant as soon as soil allows.
When Exactly to Plant Garlic in January
Plant garlic in January when:
- Soil is not frozen
- Ground is not waterlogged
- You can work the soil without compaction
Ideal window:
- Mid-January to early February
If conditions are poor, wait — planting into bad soil causes more harm than delay.
Where to Grow Garlic in January
January garlic needs excellent drainage.
Best locations:
- Raised beds
- Ridges in open ground
- Containers or large pots
- Sheltered, sunny positions
Avoid:
- Low-lying areas
- Heavy clay without improvement
- Anywhere water sits after rain
Garlic hates wet feet more than cold weather.
Preparing Soil for January Garlic
Soil preparation is more important in January than any other month.
- Remove weeds
- Loosen soil to fork depth
- Add grit, sand, or compost if soil is heavy
- Do not add fresh manure
Garlic prefers moderately fertile soil — too much nitrogen causes leafy growth and poor bulbs.
How to Plant Garlic in January (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Break the Bulb into Cloves
- Separate just before planting
- Keep skins intact
- Use the largest cloves only
Small cloves = small bulbs.
Step 2: Plant Pointed End Up
- Depth: 5–7 cm
- Spacing: 10–15 cm apart
- Rows: 25–30 cm apart
Plant firmly so cloves don’t lift during frost.
Step 3: Water Lightly (Once Only)
- Water only if soil is dry
- Do not keep watering in winter
Overwatering is the main cause of failure.
Growing Garlic in Pots in January
Containers are excellent for January garlic.
Pot requirements:
- At least 20–25 cm deep
- Drainage holes essential
- Free-draining compost
Pots warm up faster than ground soil and reduce rot risk — ideal for wet winters.
What to Expect After Planting
In January:
- Little to no visible growth initially
- Roots establish below ground
- Shoots may appear late winter or early spring
Slow progress is normal and healthy.
Should You Protect January Garlic from Frost?
Usually, no.
Garlic is very frost-hardy:
- Frost improves bulb formation
- Young shoots tolerate cold well
Use fleece only if:
- Severe prolonged frost is forecast
- Cloves are newly planted
- Containers are exposed
Avoid keeping garlic covered permanently — airflow matters.
Feeding Garlic Planted in January
Do not feed in winter.
- Garlic does not need nutrients while dormant
- Feeding encourages weak growth
Start light feeding only in spring if growth looks poor.
Common January Garlic Problems (and Fixes)
Rotting Cloves
Cause:
- Waterlogged soil
Fix: - Improve drainage
- Switch to raised beds or pots
Poor Sprouting
Cause:
- Cold, wet conditions
Fix: - Be patient
- Growth usually resumes in spring
Yellow Tips in Early Growth
Cause:
- Cold stress
Fix: - No action needed — plants recover naturally
When Will January-Planted Garlic Be Ready?
- Harvest: July to August
- Later than autumn-planted garlic
- Bulbs slightly smaller but fully usable
Harvest when:
- Lower leaves turn yellow
- Upper leaves remain green
Harvesting and Curing
- Loosen soil with a fork
- Lift bulbs carefully
- Shake off soil — don’t wash
- Cure in a dry, airy place for 2–3 weeks
Good curing is essential for storage.
How Long Will January Garlic Store?
- Softneck garlic: 6–9 months
- Hardneck garlic: 3–5 months
Only store fully cured bulbs.
Is January Garlic Worth Growing?
Absolutely.
January garlic is:
- Reliable if drainage is good
- Ideal for missed autumn planting
- Well suited to containers
- Worthwhile even with slightly smaller bulbs
It’s far better to plant in January than skip garlic altogether.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Planting into wet soil
❌ Using supermarket garlic
❌ Overwatering in winter
❌ Adding fresh manure
❌ Expecting rapid growth
Garlic rewards patience, not intervention.
Final Thoughts
Growing garlic in January is a practical, realistic option for UK gardeners who missed autumn planting or want to maximise growing space. By choosing the right varieties, prioritising drainage, and resisting the urge to overcare, January-planted garlic establishes quietly through winter and delivers a satisfying summer harvest.
If the soil can be worked and drainage is good, January is not too late — it’s simply a different, slower start to a reliable crop.
Meta Description:
Learn how to grow garlic in January with expert UK advice. Discover the best garlic varieties, planting tips, soil preparation, container growing, and how to get a successful harvest from winter planting.