Garlic: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
Your result
—
Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Garlic with this frost date .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
—
Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About garlic
Fall-planted garlic grows quietly through winter, emerging in spring to produce pungent bulbs far superior to imports — a truly set-and-forget crop.
Spacing & yield
Garlic wants 6×12 inches and about 0.15 lb per plant at ~240 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Plant individual cloves pointed end up, 2 inches deep, in mid-to-late fall.
- Mulch heavily after planting to insulate over winter and suppress spring weeds.
- Snap off scapes in late spring to redirect energy into larger bulbs.
- Stop watering 2 weeks before harvest to firm the wrapper layers.
Common mistakes
- Planting grocery store garlic treated with sprout inhibitor — buy seed garlic.
- Harvesting too late when wrappers disintegrate, exposing cloves and shortening storage life.
- Skipping the curing step, which causes mold in storage.
Harvest & storage
Dig bulbs when lower leaves brown but 5-6 green leaves remain, roughly 240 days from fall planting.
Cure bulbs in a shaded, airy spot for 3-4 weeks, then store at 55-65 F for 6-8 months.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for garlic: tomatoes, peppers, beets, lettuce, roses. Avoid planting beside: beans, peas, asparagus.
Planting calendar
Fall-planted: ~6 weeks before first fall frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- When do you plant garlic?
- Plant cloves about 6 weeks before first fall frost — this gives roots time to establish before the ground freezes.
- How much does one garlic bulb weigh?
- A finished bulb averages about 0.15 lb (roughly 2.4 oz), containing 6-10 cloves depending on variety.
- How far apart should garlic cloves be planted?
- Space 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart for full-size bulbs with good air circulation.