Introduction
How to grow garlic at home is a common question for UK beginners. Garlic is easy to cultivate, and with the right care, it can provide a bountiful harvest. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from planting cloves to harvesting and storing your garlic.
Why Grow Garlic at Home
Growing garlic at home offers several benefits:
- Freshness & flavour: Home-grown garlic tastes stronger and fresher than store-bought varieties.
- Cost-effective: A small investment in seed garlic can produce months of harvest.
- Satisfaction: There’s a special reward in growing your own food.
- Control: You manage soil quality, water, and chemicals, producing safe and healthy garlic.
Even small gardens or patios can grow garlic in containers, making it accessible to everyone.
Best Time & Soil Conditions for Garlic in the UK
- Garlic is best planted in the UK between October and December, allowing roots to develop over winter.
- Early spring planting is possible but may reduce bulb size.
- Choose a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
- Use well-draining, fertile soil, avoiding heavy clay or waterlogged areas.
For further guidance on UK conditions, you can reference RHS.
Step-by-Step: How to Grow Garlic at Home
Choosing the Right Garlic
- Purchase seed garlic from a UK garden centre or reputable supplier.
- Softneck varieties store well, while hardneck varieties have stronger flavour and produce flower stalks (“scapes”).
Preparing the Soil
- Remove weeds and debris from your garden bed.
- Mix in well-rotted compost to improve fertility and drainage.
- Loosen soil to 15–20 cm depth for easy root growth.
Planting Garlic Cloves
- Separate bulbs into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact.
- Plant pointed end up, flat end down, 2.5–3 cm deep, spaced 15 cm apart.
- Rows should be about 30 cm apart.
- For container planting, ensure a deep pot (20–30 cm) with free-draining compost.
Caring for Garlic as It Grows
- Garlic develops roots over winter with little visible growth.
- Remove weeds and water occasionally during dry spells.
- Mulch with leaves or compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- For hardneck varieties, snip scapes to direct energy into bulbs.
Growing Garlic in Containers
- Use a deep container with free-draining soil.
- Plant cloves pointed end up, spaced properly.
- Water regularly; containers dry faster than garden beds.
- Expect slightly smaller bulbs than those grown in the ground.
For more home gardening tips, visit BritPulse
Harvesting and Storing Garlic
- Garlic planted in autumn is usually ready by late June to August.
- Harvest when lower leaves turn yellow, but some green leaves remain.
- Lift bulbs carefully to avoid damage.
- Cure in a dry, airy, shaded area for 2–3 weeks.
- Store in a cool, dry, dark place for several months.
Common Problems & How to Avoid Them
- Rot or mould: Avoid waterlogged soil; raised beds or containers help.
- Poor bulb size: Ensure proper spacing, soil quality, and planting depth.
- Birds digging cloves: Use horticultural fleece until shoots emerge.
- Using supermarket garlic: It may be treated or carry disease; use seed garlic instead.
Best Garlic Varieties to Grow at Home in the UK
1. Solent Wight (Softneck)
- Pros: Stores well, easy to grow, mild flavour.
- Cons: Slightly smaller cloves than hardneck varieties.
2. Thermidrome (Softneck)
- Pros: Large bulbs, reliable, good for braiding.
- Cons: Milder flavour.
3. Messidrome (Softneck)
- Pros: Multiple cloves per bulb, mild flavour, good storage.
- Cons: Needs well-draining soil.
4. Solent Garlic (Hardneck)
- Pros: Strong flavour, produces scapes.
- Cons: Shorter storage life than softneck.
5. Elephant Garlic
- Pros: Huge cloves, mild taste, easy to grow.
- Cons: Longer to mature, technically a leek relative.
6. Spanish Roja (Hardneck)
- Pros: Very strong flavour, robust bulbs.
- Cons: Requires good soil and care.
Tip: Beginners should start with softneck varieties like Solent Wight — hardy, easy to grow, and forgiving.
Questions & Answers (FAQ)
Q: Can I use supermarket garlic for planting?
A: It’s possible but not recommended. Use seed garlic from garden suppliers for best results.
Q: When is the best time to plant garlic?
A: Mid-autumn to early winter (October–December). Early spring is possible but yields may be smaller.
Q: Can garlic grow in containers?
A: Yes. Use deep pots, quality compost, and water regularly. Bulbs may be smaller, but it works well for patios or balconies.
Q: How much sunlight does garlic need?
A: At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Conclusion
Knowing how to grow garlic at home makes it easy for UK beginners to enjoy fresh, flavourful garlic from their own garden. With proper timing, soil, sunlight, and basic care — whether in garden beds or containers — you can enjoy a satisfying harvest and months of delicious, home-grown garlic.
