Garlic Bulbs – Growing Garlic in England

When to Pre-Order Garlic in England

Garlic pre-orders on Growseed open in August — the ideal time to secure your preferred varieties before autumn planting. Popular options like ‘Solent Wight’ and ‘Elephant Garlic’ often sell out quickly, so early ordering is recommended.

When to Plant Garlic in England

England’s varied climate supports both autumn and spring garlic planting:

• Autumn (October to November): Ideal for most areas. Garlic planted now benefits from winter chill, helping form larger, well-divided bulbs.
• Spring (February to March): A good option for heavy or waterlogged soils, particularly in the north or Midlands, where winter conditions can be unpredictable.

How to Grow Garlic in England

Choose a sunny, well-drained location. In heavier soils, use raised beds or ridges to avoid waterlogging. Plant cloves 2–3cm deep and 15cm apart, pointy end up. Avoid fresh manure and rotate garlic beds yearly. Keep weeds down and water during dry spells in spring, then stop watering as the bulbs mature.

When to Harvest Garlic in England

Autumn-planted garlic is typically harvested from late June through July. Spring-planted garlic matures later, usually by late July into August. Lift bulbs when the lower leaves turn yellow and dry them thoroughly before storing. Good drying is key for long storage life.

Tips for Growing Garlic in England

• Order early in August for best choice
• Plant in autumn for stronger bulbs, or spring in heavy soils
• Use raised beds if drainage is poor
• Feed with a balanced fertiliser in early spring
• Harvest once a few leaves yellow — don’t wait until the whole plant dies back

Recommended Garlic Varieties for England

• Elephant Garlic – Large and mild; thrives in fertile, open English gardens
• Solent Wight – Softneck, reliable across England; excellent for storage
• Picardy Wight – Consistent performance and great flavour
• Carcassonne Wight – Hardneck variety for autumn planting in colder parts
• Mikulov Wight – Cold-hardy Czech hardneck; good for northern England and raised beds
• Maddock Wight – Softneck, early harvesting and suited to spring planting

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