Garlic in Manchester

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 Manchester · last frost ≈ 17 Apr

Plant out March to April, harvest July to August. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNo

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

    3 Mar to 18 Mar

    Ensure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Dig in compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure, ideally 3rd March - 18th March. Remove any weeds and break up clods.

  2. 02

    Plant Cloves

    18 Mar to 3 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 18th March - 3rd April.

  3. 03

    Weed and Water

    2 Apr to 24 Jul

    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 2nd April - 24th July after planting.

  4. 04

    Remove Scapes

    24 Jun to 24 Jul

    If growing hardneck varieties, snap off the curly flower scapes in late spring to direct energy into bulb growth. Do this 24th June - 24th July when scapes appear.

  5. 05

    Harvest Bulbs

    24 Jul to 23 Aug

    Lift bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and fall over, typically 24th July - 23rd August. Use a fork to loosen the soil and avoid damaging the bulbs.

  6. 06

    Cure and Store

    8 Aug to 15 Aug

    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 8th August - 15th August 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.