westland garden health logo

Consumer helpline 01480 443789

10am-4pm, Mon-Fri

How to Grow Garlic

Perhaps surprisingly, the cold days of November are the best time to set out garlic cloves for a heavy crop the following year.

This easy-grow crop needs a cold winter period in the soil in order for the individual cloves to develop clusters that will turn into bumper bulbs come next summer.

Autumn planted garlic is always bigger and better than that planted in the spring.

Garlic will grow in the poorest of soils as long as it is free-draining. If you have heavy clay soil, plant into small pots and then re-plant into the garden in the spring.

Planting directly into soil

Dig over the planting area, scatter Marshalls Onion, Shallot & Garlic Pre-Planting Fertiliser and rake level.

Using a cane or spring, mark out a planting row, then push individual cloves into the soil, so the tips are 3-5cm below the surface and space them 15-20cm apart.

Planting in pots and containers

Cloves can rot off in waterlogged clay soil over winter, but don’t let this stop you. If you have clay soil, plant cloves in small pots, filled with Gro-Sure Vegetable Growing Compost. These can be set out in a sheltered spot in the garden with the protection of a cold frame or greenhouse.

Related articles

How to Grow Herbs

How to Grow Herbs

There is nothing better than growing your own herbs that you can use in your cooking. By growing them yourself, they will be as fresh...

How to Grow Basil

How to Grow Basil

Basil is a particularly popular herb to grow. It’s a great to add into Italian dishes and you can use up large amounts sprinkled over...

How to Grow Chives

How to Grow Chives

Chives are a handy herb to have in the garden and have many uses in the kitchen. Use scattered on baked potatoes, in cheese and...