Garlic is a low‑maintenance crop that brings scent and structure to any veg patch. It’s ideal for gardeners who enjoy planting once and harvesting months later with minimal fuss.
Garlic adds depth to many savoury dishes. Home‑grown bulbs are full of flavour, and you can choose between types that store well or those that produce large, impressive cloves.
There are two main types of garlic:
Garlic prefers a sunny, well‑drained spot. Plant individual cloves in early spring or in the autumn, spacing them so each has room to form a full bulb. Avoid planting in waterlogged soil, which can cause rot.
Plant cloves 2 to 3cm deep in rows. Garlic doesn’t need to be supported and grows steadily through winter and spring.
Use a pot at least 20 to 25cm deep with free‑draining compost. Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.
Garlic needs even moisture in spring and early summer. Reduce watering as the leaves begin to yellow.
A light feed in early spring can help, but rich fertilisers aren’t necessary. Avoid high‑nitrogen feeds.
Remove flower stalks on hardneck types if you want larger bulbs.
Plant cloves pointy end up.
Keep weeds down; garlic does best when there’s no competition.
Water regularly during dry spells, especially in spring.
Stop watering once the bulbs begin to mature.
Plant garlic in early spring, late autumn – or both!
Harvest when the lower leaves turn yellow and begin to dry. Lift bulbs carefully and dry them somewhere airy for 2 to 3 weeks.
Need more advice?
Home‑grown garlic is rich, aromatic and full of depth. Use it fresh, roast whole bulbs, or store softneck types for months of flavour.
If you’d like help choosing between softneck and hardneck garlic, or advice on planting garlic in your garden or veg patch, our team will be delighted to guide you.
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