How to Grow Garlic in Australia

Garlic is one of the most rewarding and surprisingly easy crops for Australian raised bed gardeners. It requires a period of cold to vernalise and trigger bulb formation — this is why it must be planted in autumn and winter in most Australian climates. Tropical climates cannot grow garlic successfully without using hardneck varieties that require less cold.

Plant garlic from cloves, not seed. Purchase certified disease-free seed garlic from a garden centre or nursery — do not plant supermarket garlic, which is often treated to prevent sprouting and may carry disease. Break bulbs into individual cloves just before planting.

Plant cloves pointed end up, 5–8cm deep, in well-prepared, free-draining raised bed soil enriched with compost. Space cloves 15cm apart in rows 25cm apart. A topdressing of compost after planting and a layer of straw mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds through winter.

Garlic requires minimal care over its 6–7 month growing period. Water regularly in dry periods through winter and spring, reducing as summer approaches and the foliage begins to yellow. Stop watering entirely 2–3 weeks before planned harvest.

Softneck garlic varieties ('California White', 'Italian Late') are the most widely grown in Australia and store for 6–12 months. Hardneck varieties ('German Red', 'Music', 'Russian Red') produce larger cloves with more complex flavour but shorter storage life (3–6 months). Choose varieties from Australian garlic suppliers for best results in local conditions.

Scapes (the curling flower stalks of hardneck varieties) should be cut off when they form a complete curl — this directs energy back to bulb development. Scapes are delicious and can be used like spring onion.