Garlic is an ancient crop that has been cultivated for centuries. The planting season extends from spring to autumn. For a bountiful harvest, however, you should pay attention to the right time.
In a nutshell
- Garlic can be planted in spring and/or autumn
- Winter garlic develops larger garlic cloves
- A change of location prevents pest infestation
planting time
garlic, bot. Allium sativum, can be planted in spring and/or autumn. Depending on the time of planting, spring or winter garlic is spoken of. Harvest time for spring garlic begins in August. You can harvest winter garlic from early summer. Regardless of the time of planting, you should not use garlic cloves from the supermarket for growing in your own garden. These usually come from mild regions, such as Egypt, Italy or France, and are not used to the cold temperatures of Central European winters. Therefore, you should only grow garlic that has grown in this country.
Allium sativum
winter garlic
As the name "winter garlic" suggests, it remains in the ground over the winter. Planting time for winter garlic falls in autumn. According to the calendar, the ideal time for planting is between September/October and the beginning of November. However, the exact time depends on the region and the weather conditions, because ideally the toes should not root until the onset of winter. Therefore you should plant the winter garlic rather late.
Winter garlic has the advantage of producing larger cloves than spring garlic. Because the cold during the winter should have a positive effect on the growth of garlic (cold stimulus). However, the planting time in autumn is also associated with disadvantages, which can be attributed to the longer cultivation period of the garlic. This gives the garlic fly more time to damage the plants. Furthermore, you have to maintain the bed longer. This includes, for example, weed control.
Tip: Winter protection is not mandatory, but it is recommended to cover Allium sativum with a layer of mulch or brushwood during the winter.
spring garlic
Spring garlic, also known as summer garlic, is planted between mid-February and mid-April. In order for the plant to develop many daughter bulbs, i.e. to grow into a proper garlic bulb, February is the ideal time for planting, which can lead to problems with cold and frost in the case of (not hardy) spring garlic in this country. Allium sativum planted later in the ground, the round cultivar grows, but the spring garlic only develops isolated daughter bulbs, which are usually very thin.
Flower of a garlic plant
Tip: If the weather doesn't allow the garlic cloves to set, you can also grow the plants in pots. In this way you can compensate for the later planting time outdoors.
crop rotation
Regardless of whether you plant Allium sativum in autumn or spring, you should consider crop rotation for a bountiful harvest. This means that the garlic needs a change of location year after year. This will prevent pests that specialize in garlic plants and other Allium species from spreading. A break in cultivation at the same location of four to five years is ideal.
The change of location also results from the crop rotation of other vegetables, which are described as good neighbors of garlic. These include, for example:
- strawberries
- cucumbers
- carrots
- Beetroot
- tomatoes
Tip: If you plant garlic plants between strawberries, it is also a preventive measure against fungal and mold infestation of the strawberry plants.
frequently asked Questions
When is the right time to plant garlic plants?Garlic cloves can be planted from spring through fall. For a good harvest, however, you should plant Allium sativum in spring and/or autumn.
Is Spring Or Fall A Better Time To Grow Garlic?There is no difference in taste between the two planting times. However, Allium sativum planted in autumn develops larger cloves.
Do garlic plants need a new location every year?To prevent pests that have specialized in garlic plants from spreading, you should only plant the garlic cloves in the same location after four to five years.