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Garlic

Allium sativum

Vegetable

Garlic is a powerful natural pest deterrent and one of the most valuable companion plants in the garden. Planted in autumn, it overwinters and is harvested the following summer when the lower leaves begin to brown.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Low

Soil

Well-draining, fertile loam; pH 6.0–7.0

Spacing

6 inches

Days to Maturity

180–240 days (autumn-planted); 90 days (spring-planted)

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 3–9

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

  • Direct Sow

    Plant individual cloves in autumn, 4–6 weeks before ground freezes

  • Harvest

    Mid-summer, when lower third of leaves are brown

Organic Growing Tips

  • Plant garlic cloves around roses and fruit trees to deter aphids and borers throughout the season.

  • Cure harvested bulbs in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space for 3–4 weeks before storing.

  • Make a garlic spray by blending cloves with water to use as a broad-spectrum organic pest deterrent.

  • Rotate garlic to a new bed each year and never replant where white rot has occurred.

Common Pests

  • Onion Fly
  • Aphids
  • White Rot
  • Rust

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.