How much garlic per square metre: planting distance

Why planting distance matters for garlic

Garlic grows very slowly compared to other vegetables. The clove goes in the ground in autumn, rests through winter, and grows only in late spring through summer. During these months garlic must grow without competition. Closer spacing seems to give more plants per square metre, but garlic planted too densely does not expand to full size.

Garlic wants room. Not as much as onions, but deliberate. With correct spacing you get healthy, full bulbs. With too tight spacing you get many small cloves instead of a few large ones.

Type 1: Hardneck garlic (hardneck varieties)

Hardneck garlic grows a central flowering stalk (scape). Varieties like 'German Extra Hardy', 'Chesnok Red' and 'German Juwelen' are winter-hardy, full flavour.

Plant hardneck garlic 20-25 cm apart between cloves. This gives roughly 2 bulbs per square metre at standard row spacing (30 cm). Each clove grows to a medium to large bulb.

Type 2: Softneck garlic (softneck varieties)

Softneck garlic grows no flowering stalk. Varieties like 'Silverskin', 'Artichoke' and 'Porcelain' are less hardy but longer storage.

Plant softneck garlic 15-20 cm apart. They grow more compact than hardneck types, so closer spacing is fine. You get 3-4 bulbs per square metre.

Type 3: Elephant or giant garlic

Elephant garlic grows much larger. Cloves are huge, bulbs too. Variety: 'Elephant Garlic' (actually more onion-like than true garlic).

Plant elephant garlic 30-35 cm apart. Those things are large and want plenty of room. You get 1-2 bulbs per square metre, but they are enormous.

Type 4: Chinese garlic or crow garlic

Crow garlic grows small cloves. Variety: 'Allium sativum subsp. pekinense'. Exotic, not everywhere available.

Plant crow garlic 10-15 cm apart. Small growth, tight spacing. You get 4-6 small bulbs per square metre.

TL;DR

• Hardneck garlic: 20-25 cm spacing (2 per m2)
• Softneck garlic: 15-20 cm spacing (3-4 per m2)
• Elephant garlic: 30-35 cm spacing (1-2 per m2)
• Crow garlic: 10-15 cm spacing (4-6 per m2)

Step-by-step

Step 1: Identify your garlic type

Check your cloves. Are they hardneck (flower stalk) or softneck (no stalk)? What is your variety? This determines your spacing.

Step 2: Prepare your bed in autumn

Garlic planting time is October-November. Work compost and nutrition in well. Garlic loves loose, nutrient-rich soil. Ensure good drainage.

Step 3: Plant at correct spacing

• Hardneck garlic: 20-25 cm spacing
• Softneck: 15-20 cm spacing
• Elephant: 30-35 cm spacing
• Crow: 10-15 cm spacing

Plant the clove point-upward, roughly 5 cm deep. Cover well.

Step 4: Mulch after planting

Cover your bed with 5-10 cm mulch (straw, leaves). This insulates against cold and regulates moisture. Garlic rests winter under mulch.

Step 5: Harvest in June-July

Next summer, when leaves turn brown and fall over, harvest time arrives. Pull carefully. Dry for a few weeks in air before storing.

Frequently asked questions

How large do garlic bulbs get at good spacing?

A garlic clove at 20-25 cm spacing grows to a bulb of 4-6 cm diameter. Larger depends on feeding and summer. Hardneck garlic usually gets larger than softneck.

Can I plant garlic closer?

Garlic planted too close does not expand. You get many small cloves instead of good bulbs. Not worth it - garlic is slow enough already.

When do I buy cloves for planting?

August-September. Good garlic suppliers sell planting stock. Note: seed cloves are larger and better than consumption cloves. Consumption cloves work too, but less reliable.

Can I grow garlic from consumption cloves?

Yes, but not recommended. Consumption cloves are smaller selection. They grow, but harvest is less certain. Buy proper seed cloves.

Frequently asked questions

How much harvest per square metre?

• Hardneck garlic: 2 bulbs at 200-300g = 400-600g per m2
• Softneck: 3-4 bulbs at 100-200g = 300-800g per m2
• Elephant: 1-2 bulbs at 500g+ = 500-1000g per m2

How many cloves per bulb?

• Hardneck garlic: 4-10 cloves per bulb
• Softneck: 10-20 cloves per bulb
• Elephant: 2-5 oversized cloves per bulb

How long does garlic take to grow?

From planting (October) to harvest (July): roughly 8-9 months. Slow growth, but much harvest from ground.

Frequently asked questions

Does garlic get diseases?

Garlic is fairly resistant. Hardneck varieties more than softneck. The denser you plant, the greater disease risk. Good drainage, air circulation, careful watering help.

Can I grow garlic in containers?

Yes, 15-20 litre pot for 2-3 cloves. Use loose potting mix, mulch well, water regularly. Containers freeze more easily, so winter protection needed.

How do I store garlic?

Dry your harvest for a few weeks. Cut off the above-ground parts. Store in cool, dry place (10-15 degrees, semi-dark). Garlic keeps for months - until next harvest.

Discover your winter vegetable garden

At [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you can plan your garden with autumn/winter vegetables like garlic. Visualise your harvest for next summer.