Garlics in Liverpool
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.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Garlic
Planting Calendar
Growing Guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Step by step guide for growing softneck garlic planted in late winter or spring.
1 Plant Cloves
Plant garlic cloves outdoors in their final position as soon as the soil is workable. Place each clove (pointed end up) about deep and apart, with rows apart. January to March is a good time in Liverpool to plant softneck varieties for a summer harvest. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot (garlic will not thrive in waterlogged soil). Firm the cloves in and water them after planting.
2 Fertilise
About April after planting, when the garlic is actively growing, apply a general-purpose fertiliser to support its growth. Sprinkle the fertiliser around the plants (according to package instructions) and water it in. This helps the garlic develop healthy leaves and start forming bulbs. Generally, one feeding in spring is sufficient for garlic.
3 Water and Weed
Keep the garlic bed weed-free and ensure the plants get water during dry periods. Garlic grown in spring needs steady moisture through the spring and early summer – don’t let the soil completely dry out while the bulbs are forming. However, stop watering once most leaves have turned yellow later in the summer. Remove weeds by hand to avoid disturbing the bulbs. A mulch of compost or straw can help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
4 Harvest Garlic
June to August is when your spring-planted garlic will be ready to harvest in Liverpool. Wait until the garlic leaves have turned mostly yellow (usually by mid to late summer). Carefully lift the bulbs with a fork, being gentle to avoid bruising them. Lay out or hang the bulbs in a dry, airy place out of direct sun for about two weeks to cure. Once the outer skins are papery and the roots are dry, your softneck garlic can be stored for months – often up to a year. You can braid the dried foliage or trim it off and store the bulbs in a cool, dry location.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Dahlia
Show-stopping tuberous perennials that provide a spectacular display of colour from mid-summer right up until the first frosts. Ranging from enormous 'dinner plate' blooms to intricate pompoms and open-centred varieties that bees adore, they are a staple of the late summer UK garden.
Peas
Peas are a fantastic vegetable to grow in your UK garden, giving you sweet, fresh pods that taste way better than shop-bought ones. You can choose from shelling types for those juicy peas inside, or mangetout and sugar snaps to munch the whole pod. They're great for beginners, fix nitrogen in the soil to help other plants, and work well in beds or pots.
Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.