UK sowing calendar
When to sow garlic in the UK
Garlic sowing calendar (UK)
| Sow under cover | n/a (plant cloves; module-start possible on cold/wet sites) |
|---|---|
| Sow / plant outdoors | Autumn Oct-Dec (best) or spring Feb-Mar |
| Harvest | Jun-Jul (spring-planted Jul-Sep) |
Grown from cloves, not seed. Autumn planting (Oct-Dec) is best because garlic needs a cold spell to form a good bulb; use certified UK seed garlic rather than supermarket bulbs. Lift once the leaves turn yellow, from late spring to summer.
UK timing runs on the last-frost date, not a USDA zone. Most of Britain sees its last frost around mid-May, with the north and exposed inland gardens a week or two later and the mild south-west and coast earlier. Tender crops start under cover and only go out once frost has passed; hardy crops can be direct-sown as soon as the soil is workable.
Timing aligned with the RHS grow-your-own guide for garlic.
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When to sow garlic in the UK — FAQs
When should I sow garlic in the UK?
Sow garlic outdoors autumn oct-dec (best) or spring feb-mar. Grown from cloves, not seed. Autumn planting (Oct-Dec) is best because garlic needs a cold spell to form a good bulb; use certified UK seed garlic rather than supermarket bulbs. Lift once the leaves turn yellow, from late spring to summer.
Can you sow garlic outdoors in the UK?
Yes — sow or plant garlic outdoors autumn oct-dec (best) or spring feb-mar. Wait until after the last frost (around mid-May, later in the north) for anything tender.
When is garlic ready to harvest in the UK?
Garlic is typically harvested Jun-Jul (spring-planted Jul-Sep) in the UK, depending on your sowing date, cultivar and region.
Is it too late to sow garlic?
It depends on the month and your region. Garlic has a UK outdoor window of autumn oct-dec (best) or spring feb-mar; northern and exposed gardens run a week or two behind the south. Open Growli and tell it your postcode for timing tuned to your own last-frost date.