Garlic in Durham

Allium sativum

Garlic
Garlic · Allium sativum

Garlic is a hardy, sun-loving bulbous vegetable from the onion family, grown for its pungent cloves used in cooking. It’s easy to grow in a warm, well-drained spot and needs minimal fuss – plant individual cloves and they will develop into full bulbs by the following summer. Most garlic varieties require a cold spell over winter to form good bulbs, so in the UK they are generally planted in autumn. There are two main types of garlic: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck types produce flower stalks (scapes) which should be removed, and their bulbs have fewer but larger cloves (they store for around 4–6 months). Softneck types have more, smaller cloves and rarely bolt; they also store for longer, often up to a year.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Durham · last frost ≈ 10 May

Plant out April, harvest August to September. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Garlic

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Plant garlic cloves in early spring for a later summer harvest. This method is useful if autumn planting was missed.

  1. 01

    Prepare Soil

    26 Mar to 10 Apr

    Ensure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Dig in compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure, ideally 26th March - 10th April. Remove any weeds and break up clods.

  2. 02

    Plant Cloves

    10 Apr to 26 Apr

    Plant individual cloves with the tips just showing above the soil, spaced apart in rows apart. Firm the soil gently around them. This is best done 10th April - 26th April.

  3. 03

    Weed and Water

    25 Apr to 16 Aug

    Keep the area weed-free and water during dry spells to ensure good growth. Garlic has shallow roots and benefits from consistent moisture. Maintain this 25th April - 16th August after planting.

  4. 04

    Remove Scapes

    17 Jul to 16 Aug

    If growing hardneck varieties, snap off the curly flower scapes in late spring to direct energy into bulb growth. Do this 17th July - 16th August when scapes appear.

  5. 05

    Harvest Bulbs

    16 Aug to 15 Sept

    Lift bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and fall over, typically 16th August - 15th September. Use a fork to loosen the soil and avoid damaging the bulbs.

  6. 06

    Cure and Store

    31 Aug to 7 Sept

    Dry the harvested bulbs in a well-ventilated, shaded spot for 2–3 weeks until the skins are papery. Trim the roots and foliage before storing in a cool, dry place. Start curing 31st August - 7th September after harvest.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Garlic.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Garlic to consider

Solent Wight

A softneck variety with a strong flavour, excellent for storing and well-suited to UK climates.

Purple Wight

A hardneck variety with purple-striped skin and a milder taste, ideal for autumn planting.

Cristo

A softneck variety known for its large bulbs and good resistance to rust, suitable for spring planting.

Garlic guides by town

See how Garlic timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.