Holly's Homestead — Bulb & Allium
Garlic
Allium sativum · Onion family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Perennial bulb, grown as annual from cloves
MATURITY 240–270 days
TYPE Perennial bulb, grown as annual from cloves
MATURITY 240–270 days
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
10–15cm × 30cm
Depth
5cm
01Clove orientation
Plant the largest cloves pointed end up, flat root plate down. Getting this the wrong way slows or distorts growth. A cold winter period is essential to trigger the clove to divide into a full bulb.
02Planting
Method
Break bulbs into cloves just before planting; plant largest cloves point up, root plate down.
Soil
Loose, well-drained, enriched with compost. Waterlogging rots cloves quickly.
Timing
Plant in autumn — the cold period through winter is what triggers bulb division.
03Growing care
- Water regularly through the growing season; stop 2–3 weeks before harvest to cure skins.
- Snap off flower stalks (scapes) on hardneck types to redirect energy to the bulb.
- Mulch over winter, pulling it back in spring as shoots thicken.
- Weed by hand — garlic's shallow roots compete poorly with weeds.
04Problems
- Rust — orange leaf spots in humid weather; improve airflow, rotate beds.
- White rot — soil-borne fungus collapsing bulbs; avoid replanting affected ground for years.
- Onion maggot — larvae damage roots; use row covers early in the season.
- Split bulbs — from harvesting too late; lift once lower leaves brown.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Lower third to half of leaves have browned, upper leaves still green.
Method
Loosen soil with a fork first, then pull to avoid tearing the stem.
Curing
Hang or lay in a shaded, airy spot 2–4 weeks until skins turn papery.
Storage
Cool and dark, well-ventilated. Keeps 4–10 months depending on variety.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
TomatoCarrotBeetrootRoses
Avoid nearby
BeansPeas
Rotation note
Avoid replanting alliums in the same bed for 3–4 years to prevent white rot building up in the soil.