Planting Garlic in November: Step-by-Step Guide

November is prime garlic-planting season. Setting cloves in the ground now—while the soil is still workable but nights are cold—gives your garlic plenty of time to establish roots before winter truly bites. Come summer, you’ll be rewarded with big, flavourful bulbs perfect for the kitchen. Here’s how to do it right, step by step.

Why Plant Garlic in November?

• Stronger roots: Cold weather triggers clove growth below ground.
• Bigger bulbs: A long winter root run means earlier, larger bulbs at harvest.
• Reliability: Garlic planted in autumn is often less prone to rust, rot, and summer pests.

Step-by-Step: Planting Garlic in November

1. Choose the Best Variety

• Pick named, certified garlic from a garden centre or mail-order supplier—not supermarket bulbs (which may not suit UK/US climates and can carry disease).
• Popular autumn-planting types:
  • ‘Solent Wight’
  • ‘Germidour’
  • ‘Messidrome’
  • ‘Thermidrome’
  • Hardneck & softneck options available.

2. Select the Right Spot

• Full sun, open site, and well-drained soil are best.
• Avoid areas where onions, leeks, or other alliums grew last year.

3. Prep the Soil

• Remove weeds, fork in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure, and break up clods.
• If your soil is heavy or wet, prepare a shallow ridge (raised row) for improved drainage.

4. Break and Prepare Cloves

• Gently separate the bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact.
• Use only the largest, healthiest cloves—discard any soft or shriveled ones.

5. Planting Depth & Spacing

• Push each clove into the soil, pointy end up and blunt/root end down.
• Plant 5cm (2in) deep, 15cm (6in) apart, with rows 25–30cm (10–12in) apart.

6. Water and Label

• Water in if soil is dry, but don’t saturate.
• Label your row or bed with the variety and date.

7. Mulch (Optional)

• Apply a thin layer of compost, straw, or leaf mould for insulation, especially in colder regions.

Aftercare

• Keep weed-free—garlic hates competition, especially while young.
• Avoid waterlogging—drain excess water, especially in winter rains.
• In spring, remove mulch as shoots appear and feed lightly with general fertiliser or liquid seaweed.

Harvest

• Garlic planted in November is typically ready by late June or July, when the lower leaves yellow and die back.
• Lift bulbs, dry in a single layer for 2–3 weeks, and store in a cool, airy place.

Top Tips

• Don’t plant cloves too early—wait until cold nights are regular.
• Use only healthy, disease-free planting stock.
• Raised beds or ridges improve success in damp gardens.

Planting garlic in November is simple, reliable, and yields a pay-off that lasts for months. With a little prep now, you’ll enjoy homegrown punch and flavor every day next summer.