Introduction
Garlic tops the charts as the UK’s most searched gardening question, with nearly 100,000 searches a year. It’s no wonder—growing your own garlic is simple, rewarding, and adds so much flavour to your cooking. Here’s how to do it right.
1. Why Not Plant Supermarket Garlic?
While tempting, supermarket-bought garlic is often treated with sprout inhibitors and may carry diseases like white rot that can linger in your soil for over a decade. It’s far safer to use certified seed garlic from garden centres. I
2. Best Garlic Varieties for the UK
If you're planting in spring, aim for tried-and-tested varieties like Solent Wight, Mersley (Merseley) Wight, or Picardy Wight (all spring-sown types). For autumn planting, choose either softneck (longer storage, plaitable) or hardneck (strong flavour, scapes).
3. When to Plant
- Autumn planting (September to December) is the traditional sweet spot for garlic nationwide.
- Spring planting (January to March) works too—especially with Wight varieties. Just expect a slightly later harvest.
4. Site & Soil Requirements
Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil. Garlic hates waterlogged ground—if your soil is heavy, enhance it with grit or compost or use containers.
5. Planting Method
Plant individual cloves (intact papery skin) pointy end up, about 3 cm deep in fine soil. Space them about 10–15 cm apart, with 25–30 cm between rows. In heavy soils, start in modules to avoid rot, then transplant.
6. Care during Growth
- Mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture, but avoid waterlogging.
- Water during dry spells; garlic doesn’t need composting or fertiliser in the first winter.
7. Scapes & Before Harvest (Hardneck Varieties)
Hardnecks will send up a curly stalk (scape) in early summer—remove it to divert energy into bulb growth. Bonus: scapes are delicious in stir-fries.
8. Harvesting & Storing
Harvest bulbs from late June to late August when leaves yellow. Gently lift bulbs, dry them in a ventilated spot, and store in a cool, dry, airy space. Softnecks can store up to a year; hardnecks last until spring.
With the right variety, timing, and a bit of care, growing garlic at home is straightforward and satisfying. Start planting this autumn or spring and look forward to a harvest next summer. Your kitchen (and your palate) will thank you.