GardenHow to grow garlic
लहसुन. When to sow it in each part of India, how deep, how far apart, what size of pot, and what to watch for.
When to sow
North and central plainsSeptember to November
South and coastal IndiaAugust to November
HillsSeptember and October
Green months are the usual sowing or planting time. Dates shift by a few weeks from place to place.
How to sow and grow
- Method
- Split a bulb into cloves and plant each clove with the pointed end up.
- Depth
- 2 to 3 cm
- Spacing
- 10 cm apart
- In a pot
- A box or pot 20 cm deep
- Sprouts in
- 7 to 14 days
- Harvest
- 4 to 5 months, when the lower leaves turn yellow
- Sun
- Full sun: at least 6 hours a day
Tips from the garden
- Use the largest cloves for planting. Big cloves give big bulbs.
- The green leaves can be cut lightly for the kitchen, but each cut costs a little bulb size.
- Stop watering two weeks before harvest, so the bulbs store well.
What can go wrong
Bulbs that fail to divide into cloves were planted too late or had too warm a winter.
Sown around the same time
New to growing from seed? Read how to sow seeds and the balcony and terrace garden guide.
Questions people ask
When is garlic sown in north India?
In the plains of north and central India, the usual sowing or planting months for garlic are September to November.
How long does garlic take to grow?
Usually 4 to 5 months, when the lower leaves turn yellow.
Can garlic be grown in a pot?
Yes. A box or pot 20 cm deep.