Garlic should be ready to harvest this month — check for size and colour.
Growing Calendar
This month: May
Log to journalReady to harvest now
- •Check size and ripeness
- •Harvest regularly
- •Store or use fresh
Watch Out For
White rot persists in soil for years
avoid planting where garlic or onions have failed before and do not move infected soil
Rust on leaves reduces bulb size
remove the worst-affected leaves, improve airflow between plants and avoid high-nitrogen feeds
Planting too shallow exposes cloves to frost heave
plant to at least 5cm deep and firm the soil well; push any heaved cloves back down after a frost
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Garlic in the UK
When should I plant garlic in the UK?
Plant garlic in October to November for the best results — it needs a cold period (vernalisation) to split into multiple cloves. Spring planting (February–March) is possible but produces smaller bulbs. Plant individual cloves 2–3cm deep, 15cm apart, pointed end up.
When is garlic ready to harvest?
Garlic is ready from May to August when approximately half the leaves have yellowed. Lift carefully with a fork to avoid damaging bulbs. Cure in a dry, airy place for 3–4 weeks before storing. Do not harvest too early — the papery skins need to develop for long storage.
Why is my garlic producing a flower stalk?
Flower stalks (scapes) appear on hardneck garlic varieties in early summer. Remove them promptly by cutting or snapping — this directs energy back into the bulb rather than into flowering. Scapes are delicious eaten immediately, with a mild garlic flavour.
Can I grow garlic from a supermarket bulb?
Supermarket garlic is often not suited to UK conditions and may be treated to prevent sprouting. It is far better to buy certified, virus-free seed garlic from a reputable supplier. This gives reliably larger bulbs and reduces disease risk.
Member guides
There's more to growing Garlic than this guide covers.
Seasonal reminders, deeper guides, and the small adjustments that change a harvest.
