Garlic Bulbs – Growing Garlic in Wales

When to Pre-Order Garlic in Wales

Garlic pre-orders open in August on Growseed, ahead of autumn planting. This is the ideal time to reserve popular varieties like ‘Solent Wight’ and ‘Elephant Garlic’, especially as stock often sells out quickly before planting season begins.

When to Plant Garlic in Wales

In Wales, garlic is typically planted in two main windows:

• Autumn (October to November): Preferred in much of Wales, especially for hardneck varieties like ‘Carcassonne Wight’. These benefit from cold exposure, helping cloves split and bulb well.
• Spring (February to March): A safer option in areas with very wet winters, such as coastal or upland zones. Spring planting is suited to softneck types like ‘Solent Wight’ or ‘Maddock Wight’.

How to Grow Garlic in Wales

Garlic needs a sunny position and free-draining soil. In wetter parts of Wales, raised beds or ridges are highly recommended to prevent rot. Plant cloves 2–3cm deep, 15cm apart, with the pointed end up. Avoid planting in freshly manured soil. Weed regularly, water during dry spells in spring, and stop watering once bulbs begin to mature in early summer.

When to Harvest Garlic in Wales

Autumn-planted garlic is usually ready to harvest from late June to early July. Spring-planted garlic matures slightly later — from late July into August. Begin lifting bulbs when the lower leaves have yellowed but the top leaves remain green. Dry thoroughly in a warm, airy place before storing.

Tips for Growing Garlic in Wales

• Pre-order garlic bulbs in August for best variety availability
• Use raised beds or ridges to improve drainage in wet soils
• Plant in autumn for earlier harvests, or spring to avoid overwintering issues
• Choose softneck types for storage, hardnecks for bold flavour
• Rotate annually to avoid soil-borne diseases like white rot

Recommended Garlic Varieties for Wales

• Elephant Garlic – Milder flavour and giant bulbs; ideal for fertile Welsh plots
• Solent Wight – Great for spring or autumn sowing; stores well
• Picardy Wight – Reliable and flavourful, suitable for most parts of Wales
• Carcassonne Wight – Hardneck with good cold tolerance, great for autumn planting
• Mikulov Wight – Cold-hardy hardneck, performs well in northern or upland Wales
• Maddock Wight – Early maturing softneck, ideal for spring planting

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