Garlic
Allium sativum
Also known as
Cultivated Garlic, Garden Garlic
Photo by CandideUK (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
H6
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
1.2m | Max | 30cm |
30cm | Min | 20cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a strong fragrance
Garlic Overview
Allium sativum is more commonly known by the name Garlic. This species is an easy to grow member of the Amaryllidaceae family, producing a compact bulb of individual cloves which can be used for propagation. This plant needs minimal maintenance, keep the area where they are growing weed-free and well-watered. Garlic grows in a wide variety of soil conditions as long as it is well-drained, fertile and has a near-neutral pH. Plant out cloves in late summer to early autumn for the best results. Garlic grows in two ways, 'Hardneck' or 'Softneck'. Hardneck types produce an edible flower stem and cloves that do not store well but some produce pretty bulbs and cloves. Softneck types store for longer than Hardneck varieties and some produce 10-16 cloves per bulb.
Common problems with Garlic
Plant cloves deeply to prevent freezing which causes White Rot fungus. Rotate crops and clear the area after harvesting to prevent disease buildup. Pink root stunts the roots and turns them pink or red.
Garlic Companion Plants
Beetroot, brassicas, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, eggplant
How to harvest Garlic
Garlic bulbs will be ready to harvest within 6 to 7 months when tops begin to yellow and fall over but harvest them before they dry out. Cure plants by hanging the bulbs in a cool dry place.
How to propagate Garlic
Seed
Sowing seeds in Summer and Autumn, 3-4 cm deep and 7-10 cm apart.
Special features of Garlic
Pot plant
Garlic can be grown in a pot as long as the container is deeper than 10 cm
Repels harmful insects
Works as an insect repellant
Crop rotation
Garlic is a light feeder, rotate crops annually to avoid a build up of disease in the soil.
Other uses of Garlic
Culinary, medicinal
Edible
Garlic cloves can be eaten raw or cooked and the flower neck of the Hardneck variety is edible and can be eaten in salads or stir-fries.