When to plant Garlic in Leeds

Allium sativum

Garlic
Garlic · Allium sativum

Hardy garlic for a sunny, well-drained UK bed. Plant named garlic cloves in autumn so they get a cold spell and make bulbs the following summer. Hardneck types make a flower stem called a scape. Snap it off when it appears. Softneck types rarely make scapes.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Leeds · last frost ≈ 24 Apr

Plant out October to November, harvest May to September. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Plant cloves in autumn so they root over winter and make larger bulbs.

  1. 01

    Prepare Soil

    19 Sept to 3 Oct

    Work in well-rotted compost or manure around 19th September - 3rd October, not fresh. The bed must drain well or cloves rot over winter. Rake to a fine tilth and take out weeds.

  2. 02

    Plant Cloves

    3 Oct to 16 Nov

    Use named planting garlic, not supermarket bulbs. Plant cloves around 3rd October - 16th November, pointy end up, with of soil over the tip. Space them apart, in rows apart. Firm the soil. Shallow planting makes green cloves.

    • Birds pull cloves. Cover the row with fleece or mesh until they root.

  3. 03

    Weed and Mulch

    10 Oct to 30 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Keep the bed weed-free from 10th October - 30th November. Garlic competes poorly with weeds. Mulch with straw or compost to hold moisture and keep weeds down.

  4. 04

    Remove Scapes

    1 Apr to 14 Jun 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    On hardneck types, snap off the curly flower scapes as soon as they appear, around 1st April - 14th June 2027. You can eat them. Softneck types almost never make scapes.

  5. 05

    Harvest Bulbs

    31 May to 13 Aug 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Lift bulbs from 31st May 2027 once the leaves start to yellow. Do not delay. Use a fork so you do not nick the bulbs. Keep lifting through 13th August 2027.

  6. 06

    Cure and Store

    31 May to 10 Sept 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Dry the bulbs in a well-ventilated, shaded spot for 2 to 4 weeks, from 31st May - 10th September 2027. Keep them below . Trim roots and foliage once the skins are papery, then store somewhere cool and dry.

Companion plants

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

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.