Garlic

At a glance

USDA Zones

3–9

Sun

Full sun (6+ hrs)

Water

Low — drought-tolerant once established

Soil

Loam, sandy

pH

Neutral

Spacing

6 in. between plants

Per square foot

4 plants per square

Days to maturity

About 240 days

Planting & harvest windows

Northern Hemisphere timing. Adjust ±4–6 weeks based on your last/first frost dates.

Good companions

• 
  Tomato
• 
  Strawberry

  Garlic helps repel fungal disease and slugs around strawberries.

• 
  Brassica (general)

  Garlic deters aphids and cabbage loopers.

• 
  Carrot

Keep apart from

• 
  Bush Bean

  The onion family stunts the helpful root bacteria beans rely on, cutting your harvest.

• 
  Pea

  The onion family stunts the helpful root bacteria peas rely on, so they grow poorly.

• 
  Sage
• 
  Parsley

Recommended varieties

• Music (Hardneck)

  start

  Big cloves, robust flavor — best for cold winters.

• California Early (Softneck)

  start

  Mild, stores long, braidable. Good for warm zones.

• Inchelium Red (Softneck)

  start

  Mild, sweet softneck — great all-rounder.