Ask any old hand on the Coffs Coast and they will tell you the same thing: get your garlic in by Anzac Day. If you have been thinking about planting garlic, late April is your moment, and this guide walks you from clove to harvest.
Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops you can grow. For the price of a few good bulbs you can fill a bed and harvest months of homegrown flavour. The secret is timing, the right variety and a bit of care through winter. Here is how to get it right on the Coffs Coast.
Quick summary
- Aim to plant your garlic around Anzac Day (late April); warm-climate types can go in from March.
- Plant proper seed garlic, not supermarket bulbs, which are often treated and can carry disease.
- Warm-climate softnecks like Glenlarge, Southern Glen and Italian Pink suit our subtropical patch.
- Plant the biggest cloves pointy end up, about 5cm deep and 10 to 15cm apart, in full sun.
- Mulch well, keep the soil moist not wet, and harvest in late spring when the lower leaves brown off.
Why Anzac Day Is Garlic Day
That old gardening rule is not just folklore. There is solid reasoning behind getting your cloves in around late April.
The Old Rule of Thumb, and the Science Behind It
Autumn is the main garlic planting time right across New South Wales, because it gives the plant a good long stretch of cool-season growth before the warmer, longer days of late spring trigger the bulbs to form (NSW DPI). Cooling autumn soil encourages strong root growth heading into winter, then the plant powers up in spring and is ready to harvest in late spring or early summer. The Anzac Day rule is a handy reminder to get moving. Here on the warm Coffs Coast, subtropical types can even go in a little earlier, from March.
Choosing and Preparing Your Garlic
A great crop starts with the right bulbs. This is the step most first-timers get wrong, so it pays to get it sorted.
Pick Planting Bulbs, Not Supermarket Garlic
It is tempting to plant a clove from the fruit shop, but it is a false economy. A lot of supermarket garlic is imported and treated to stop it sprouting, and imported bulbs can carry soil-borne diseases and pests that we do not want in local gardens (ABC Rural). Proper seed garlic, sold specifically for planting, is fresh, untreated and ready to grow. It is the single best thing you can do for your crop.
The Best Varieties for the Coffs Coast
Our mild winters mean we need warm-climate garlic. Look for day-length neutral softneck types from the subtropical group, such as Glenlarge, Southern Glen, Italian Pink and Italian Red, which were selected to thrive in warmer Australian conditions and mature in around five to six months (Australian Garlic Industry Association). Cold-climate varieties tend to sulk and produce tiny bulbs up here, so it is worth choosing the right type from the start.
Splitting Cloves and Choosing the Biggest
Just before planting, gently break each bulb into individual cloves, leaving the papery skins on. Plant only the plump, healthy, outer cloves, because a bigger clove grows a bigger bulb. Pop the little ones aside for the kitchen. If you like, soak the cloves in a seaweed solution overnight for a gentle root-boosting head start.
Planting Garlic Cloves, Step by Step
Once your bed is ready, planting is quick and satisfying.
Position, Spacing and Depth
Choose a spot in full sun with free-draining soil, since garlic will rot in ground that stays wet. If your soil is heavy or soggy in winter, plant into a raised or mounded bed. Push each clove in pointy end up, about 5cm deep and 10 to 15cm apart, with rows around 20 to 30cm apart to allow airflow. Backfill gently and water in.
Feeding Your Garlic
Garlic likes a rich, well-prepared bed. Before planting, dig through plenty of compost and aged manure, plus some blood and bone and a little potash for good bulb development. Go easy on fresh manure and heavy nitrogen, which push leafy growth at the expense of bulbs. Aim for a soil pH around 6.0 to 7.0, and try not to grow garlic in the same bed two years running, to keep diseases at bay (Gardening Australia). Our gardening supplies range has the compost, manure and fertiliser to set your bed up, and you will find seed garlic in our seeds and fertilisers range.
| Garlic at a glance | Guide |
|---|---|
| When to plant | Around Anzac Day (late April); subtropical types from March |
| Depth | About 5cm, pointy end up |
| Spacing | 10 to 15cm apart, rows 20 to 30cm |
| Position | Full sun, free-draining soil |
| Harvest | Late spring to early summer, about 5 to 6 months |
Caring for the Crop Through Winter
Garlic is fairly low-maintenance once it is in, but a little attention makes a big difference to bulb size.
Water, Weed and Mulch
Spread a layer of straw or sugarcane mulch to lock in moisture and keep weeds down, because garlic hates competition. Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged. As the weather warms in spring, a fortnightly liquid feed helps the plants bulk up, then ease off once the bulbs start to form so they can firm up for storage.
Knowing When to Harvest and How to Cure
Your garlic is ready when the lower leaves have browned off but there are still five or six green leaves up top, usually in late spring or early summer. Loosen the soil with a fork and lift the bulbs gently to avoid bruising. Cure them by hanging or laying them out in a warm, dry, airy spot out of direct sun for a few weeks, then trim the tops and roots and store somewhere cool and dry. Cured well, your crop will keep for months.
How Coffs Harbour Produce Can Help You Grow
Garlic season comes around fast, and good seed garlic sells out quickly, so it pays to get in early. Pop into our Coffs Harbour store or our sister store Valley Rural Supplies in Nambucca Heads for planting bulbs, compost, mulch and a yarn about your patch. We also offer free next-day delivery across the greater Coffs Harbour region (order by 3pm, conditions apply), so your garlic and supplies can come to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant garlic on the Coffs Coast?
Aim for around Anzac Day in late April, the classic Aussie rule of thumb. Because our winters are mild, warm-climate subtropical types can also go in a little earlier, from about March.
Can I plant garlic from the supermarket?
It is best not to. A lot of supermarket garlic is imported and treated to stop it sprouting, and it can carry diseases we do not want in local soil. Buy proper seed garlic sold for planting instead.
What garlic grows best in a warm climate?
Day-length neutral softnecks from the subtropical group, such as Glenlarge, Southern Glen, Italian Pink and Italian Red. They were bred for warmer Australian conditions and grow well on the Coffs Coast.
How deep and far apart do I plant garlic cloves?
Plant each clove pointy end up, about 5cm deep and 10 to 15cm apart, with rows around 20 to 30cm apart. Always choose the biggest, healthiest cloves for the best-sized bulbs.
When is garlic ready to harvest?
Usually late spring to early summer, when the lower leaves have browned off but several up top are still green. Lift the bulbs gently, then cure them in a dry, airy spot before storing.
Ready to Get Your Garlic In?
The Anzac Day window comes around quickly, so now is the time to plan your patch. If you would like a hand choosing seed garlic or prepping your bed, the team at Coffs Harbour Produce is at 26 June Street, Coffs Harbour, on 02 6652 2599, or you can send an online enquiry. Call, email, or drop in and we will help you grow a cracker of a crop.
References
- NSW DPI, Growing garlic in NSW (Primefact 259), https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/97709/growing-garlic-in-NSW.pdf
- Gardening Australia (ABC), Guide to Garlic, https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/how-to/guide-to-garlic/13286000
- Australian Garlic Industry Association, Subtropical Group, https://garlicaustralia.asn.au/garlics/subtropical-group/
- ABC Rural, Fresh vs fumigated: the difference between Australian and imported garlic, https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-12-10/australian-garlic-farming-sunshine-coast-rural-christmas-gift/101682854
