Autumn · Vegetables Plant a Clove Today, Harvest a Bulb Next Summer Garlic is one of the easiest crops you can grow, and autumn is exactly the right time to plant it. Garlic has an unusual habit: it goes into the ground in autumn and comes out the following summer. You plant a few cloves now, mostly forget about them over winter, and in June or July you lift big, fragrant bulbs that taste far better than anything from the supermarket. It needs little space and has very few pests, and it grows happily in beds, raised beds, and even large pots on a balcony. Here is everything you need to know to get it right the first time. Why Garlic Is Planted in Autumn Garlic needs a cold period to grow properly. Several weeks below about 10°C trigger the clove to split into a full bulb of new cloves. Gardeners call this vernalization . Autumn planting also gives the clove time to grow strong roots before the ground freezes, so it can take off as soon as spring arrives. Spring-plante...
Practical growing guides, plant care tips, and seasonal advice for home gardeners of every experience level, from backyard beginners to seasoned green thumbs.