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Growing Conditions

  • Climate: Prefers temperate climates; thrives in New Zealand’s varied climate, particularly suited to cooler regions. Garlic needs a cold period (vernalization) for bulb formation, ideally 0–10°C for 1–2 months.

  • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Loamy or sandy loam soils are ideal. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions.

  • Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours daily).

  • Planting:

    • Time: Autumn (March–May) in New Zealand, allowing roots to establish before winter. Spring planting is possible but may result in smaller bulbs.

    • Method: Plant individual cloves 5 cm deep, pointed end up, 10–15 cm apart in rows spaced 30 cm apart.

  • Watering: Moderate, consistent moisture during active growth (spring/early summer). Reduce watering as bulbs mature to prevent rot.

  • Fertilisation: Apply balanced fertiliser (e.g., 10-10-10) at planting and again in spring. Compost or aged manure boosts soil fertility.

  • Harvest: Typically 8–9 months after planting, when lower leaves yellow and die back (late spring to summer, November–January). Dig bulbs carefully to avoid damage.

Cultivation Tips

  • Pests/Diseases: Watch for onion maggots, thrips, or fungal diseases like white rot and rust. Crop rotation and clean planting material help prevent issues.

  • Storage: Cure bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated area for 2–4 weeks after harvest. Store at 10–21°C with low humidity for 6–12 months.

Uses

  • Culinary: Cloves are used raw, cooked, or roasted for flavour in global cuisines.

  • Medicinal: Traditionally used for its antimicrobial and cardiovascular benefits, though scientific evidence varies.

  • Cultural: Valued in folklore and as a natural pest repellent in gardens.

Garlic

Colour   white / pink
Botanical name   Allium sativum
Height (m)   0.4
Details  

Garlic is a hardy, bulb-forming plant with long, flat, grass-like leaves. The underground bulb is composed of 4–20 cloves, each wrapped in papery skin. The plant produces a flowering stalk (scape) in some varieties, which can be harvested as a delicacy.
Diameter   0.20
Edible  
Family   Amaryllidaceae
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 Related

Garlic Rust

Botanical name   Puccinia porri (syn. Puccinia allii)
Colour   Brown
Negatives  

Rust is a common fungal disease affecting garlic. It appears as small, rust-coloured spots or pustules on leaves, which can reduce photosynthesis, weaken plants, and lower bulb quality and yield. Below are strategies to manage rust in garlic, tailored for New Zealand conditions.
Managing Rust in Garlic
Harvest Elephant Garlic

Harvest Elephant Garlic

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is ready to harvest when:

  • The leaves start turning yellow and die back (typically in late summer to early autumn, around February–April in the Southern Hemisphere).
  • The bulbs have fully matured, usually 8–10 months after planting.
  • Check a few bulbs by gently digging around them—if they are large and well-formed, they are ready.

How to Harvest

  1. Loosen the soil

    • Use a garden fork or spade to carefully loosen the soil around the bulbs.
    • Avoid pulling the stalks directly, as this can damage the bulbs.

  2. Lift the bulbs gently

    • Carefully lift the garlic out of the soil, keeping the bulb and roots intact.

  3. Cure the garlic

    • Brush off excess soil but do not wash.
    • Lay the bulbs in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated area for 2–4 weeks to cure.
    • Once cured, trim the roots and cut the stems if desired.

Storage Tips

  • Store in a cool, dry place with good airflow.
  • Elephant garlic lasts for several months but is best used within 6–12 months.
  • Keep some bulbs for replanting in winter (June–July) for the next season’s crop.
February 13, 2025
March 13, 2025
Harvest
  February   March   April  
A hint of garlic

A hint of garlic

Details   It's high summer, we've passed the longest day and our garlic had been in the ground for 7 months.

This represents about 40-50% of the crop and is the first time we have grown garlic at our place.
Date   December 27, 2011
Tags     garlic  summer  harvest 
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Harvest Garlic

Harvesting garlic is straightforward but requires attention to timing and proper techniques to ensure a good yield and long-lasting bulbs.
Harvest
December 21, 2024
  solstice  garlic  harvest 
  December  
Harvest Tips