edenhana

Garlic

Traditionally planted on the shortest day (around 21 June) and harvested in summer; needs a genuine cold spell to bulb up well.

Sun
full sun
Water
low
Spacing
15cm
Harvest
Ready in 150-200 days
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
1 bulb per clove planted
Cost to grow
~$10 NZD
Grocery value
~$30 NZD
Companion plants
Tomatoes, Brassicas, Fruit trees
Plants to avoid nearby
Beans, Peas, Asparagus
Common diseases
White rot, Rust
Common pests
Thrips

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: April-June. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast and Christchurch / Canterbury: April-May. In Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: March-May.

Growing stages

  1. Planting & shoot emergence

    • Traditionally planted on the shortest day, around 21 June
    • Needs a genuine cold spell over winter to bulb up well
    • White rot risk if planted where alliums have grown recently

  2. Vegetative growth

    • Rust can appear on leaves, especially in humid conditions
    • Thrips can target foliage as the weather warms
    • Low water needs; avoid overwatering, which can encourage rot

  3. Bulb development

    • Ease off watering as bulbs mature going into summer to avoid rot
    • White rot can still affect bulbs while they're in the ground
    • Yellowing, drying leaves signal bulbs are sizing up towards harvest

  4. Harvest150-200 days from planting

    • Ready in summer, about 150-200 days after planting, when leaves yellow and topple over
    • Cure bulbs in a dry, airy spot after lifting for good storage
    • Rust on leaves late in the season doesn't usually affect bulb quality but signals it's time to lift

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