Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for May, June.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Garlic in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartPlant clovesLightFull sunTiming24–32 weeksDifficultyEasy
AdvertisementPlant guide ad locationReserved for an AdSense display unit
Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Start well
Plant garlic with confidence
Plant cloves. Prepare the final position first, retain the existing root-ball level and water thoroughly after planting.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Plant at the existing crown or root-ball level unless the label specifies otherwise.
- Germination or establishment
- Not normally started from seed in this guide; establishment speed depends on plant size, season and root condition.
- Spacing
- 10–15 cm
- Soil
- Loose, stone-free soil that drains freely; usually ph 6.0–7.0.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Use mature compost and avoid excessive nitrogen, which can favour leaves over roots.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Water consistently while roots swell, without leaving the bed waterlogged.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Plant individual cloves point-up, keep beds weed-free and reduce watering as lower leaves begin to yellow.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
24–32 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Look for thrips, onion maggot and basal rot. Free drainage and rotation are more useful than heavy feeding late in the season.
Useful neighbours
Often grown beside carrots, beetroot, lettuce and brassicas. Keep away from peas and beans where close spacing would restrict their growth.
People and pets
Safety note
Garlic can poison cats and dogs if eaten in sufficient quantity. Keep cloves and plant material inaccessible.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026