Vegetable (bulb, autumn-planted)
Garlic
Allium sativum
Planted in autumn rather than spring in most climates, garlic rewards patience over almost a full year and punishes wet, poorly drained soil at harvest time.
| Light | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderate; taper off as bulbs mature |
| Spacing | 10-15 cm |
| Zones | All zones; hardneck types need a cold period to form bulbs |
| Harvest | 8-9 months after planting, when lower leaves brown |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Plant in autumn, not spring
Garlic cloves planted in autumn establish roots before winter and use the cold period to trigger bulb division. Spring-planted garlic in most climates produces smaller, less-divided bulbs.
Hardneck vs softneck
Hardneck varieties need a real cold winter and produce a curling flower stalk (the scape) worth harvesting for its own mild flavour; softneck varieties tolerate milder climates and store longer.
Stop watering before harvest
Withhold water for two to three weeks before the expected harvest date — bulbs pulled from wet soil are more prone to rot in storage and the papery wrapper cures poorly.
More plant profiles
- TomatoThe most-grown vegetable in home gardens, and the one most improved by consistent water and a cage or stake set at planting time.
- LettuceA fast, forgiving crop that bolts to seed in heat, so timing and shade matter more than soil fertility.
- BasilThe most temperature-sensitive common herb — it sulks below 10°C and needs regular pinching to stay leafy rather than flowering.