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19 Creative Ways to Grow Gourmet Garlic at Home: A Complete Guide

By the Viral Info team · Updated November 2026 · 3 min read

Creative Ways To Grow Gourmet Garlic At Home

Homegrown garlic is far more flavourful than most shop bulbs, and it is one of the easiest crops to plant and forget over winter. These 19 creative ways to grow gourmet garlic at home take you from clove to cured bulb.

Garlic types

Item Why it works
Hardneck Rich flavour, produces scapes; suits cold winters
Softneck Stores longest, braids well; suits mild winters
Elephant garlic Huge, mild bulbs (actually a leek relative)
Planting time Autumn, a few weeks before the ground freezes
Harvest Early to mid summer when lower leaves brown

Planning and planting

  1. Choose the right variety for your climate.
  2. Buy certified seed garlic rather than supermarket bulbs.
  3. Prep soil like a pro with compost and good drainage.
  4. Plant cloves pointy side up about 5 cm deep.
  5. Space cloves 15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart.
  6. Plant the biggest cloves for the biggest bulbs.

Growing

  1. Mulch with straw for moisture and weed control.
  2. Water smartly, then stop about two weeks before harvest.
  3. Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser in early spring.
  4. Grow in containers at least 20 cm deep.
  5. Use companion planting near carrots, roses and fruit trees.
  6. Weed often, as garlic hates competition.
  7. Grow garlic greens from spare cloves for an early taste.

Harvest and beyond

  1. Cut hardneck scapes for pesto and to boost bulb size.
  2. Harvest green garlic in spring for a mild flavour.
  3. Lift bulbs with a fork when half the leaves have browned.
  4. Cure bulbs in a dry, airy place for two to three weeks.
  5. Braid softnecks for storage and gifts.
  6. Save your best bulbs to replant next autumn.

Tip: Store homemade garlic in oil only in the fridge and use it within about four days, because garlic in oil at room temperature can cause botulism; garlic is also toxic to dogs and cats, so keep bulbs, scraps and greens out of their reach, and wear gloves if handling lots of garlic irritates your skin.

FAQ

When should I plant garlic?

In autumn, a few weeks before the ground freezes, or in late winter in mild areas.

Can I plant supermarket garlic?

It may grow, but it is often treated or unsuited to your climate, so seed garlic is better.

How do I know when garlic is ready?

When about half of the leaves have turned brown, usually in early to mid summer.

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