Garlics in Nethy Bridge

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 Nethy Bridge · last frost ≈ 3 Jun

Plant out September, harvest May to July. Frost risk September to June.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

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 autumn for a robust summer harvest. This method yields larger bulbs as the plants establish roots over winter.

  1. 01

    Prepare Soil

    1 Sept to 15 Sept

    Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent winter rot. Dig in compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure, ideally 1st September - 15th September. Work the soil to a fine tilth and remove any weeds.

  2. 02

    Plant Cloves

    15 Sept to 29 Sept

    Plant individual cloves with the tips just showing above the soil, spaced apart in rows apart. Firm the soil gently around them to eliminate air pockets. This is best done 15th September - 29th September.

  3. 03

    Weed and Mulch

    29 Sept to 6 Oct

    Keep the area weed-free, as garlic competes poorly for light and nutrients. Apply a mulch of straw or compost to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Do this 29th September - 6th October after planting.

  4. 04

    Remove Scapes

    21 Mar to 20 Apr

    If growing hardneck varieties, snap off the curly flower scapes in late spring to direct energy into bulb growth. Do this 21st March - 20th April when scapes appear.

  5. 05

    Harvest Bulbs

    20 May to 19 Jun

    Lift bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and fall over, typically 20th May - 19th June. Use a fork to loosen the soil and avoid damaging the bulbs.

  6. 06

    Cure and Store

    19 Jun to 10 Jul

    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 19th June - 10th July 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.