How To Grow Garlic In NZ - Kings Seeds
Best Garlic Growing Tips For Kiwi Gardeners
If you have ever wondered how to grow garlic successfully in NZ, you are definitely not alone. Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops to grow at home, but it is also one of the crops beginner gardeners tend to overthink the most.
When do you plant garlic in NZ?
How deep should garlic be planted?
Why is my garlic not forming bulbs?
Can you grow garlic from supermarket garlic?
The good news is that garlic is actually incredibly easy to grow once you understand a few simple basics.
Whether you are planting garlic for the very first time or looking to improve your harvest this season, this guide covers everything you need to know about growing garlic in New Zealand conditions, including common mistakes, harvesting tips, storage advice, and answers to the garlic questions Kiwi gardeners ask most.
At Kings Seeds, we believe growing your own food should feel exciting, achievable, and rewarding. Garlic is one of those crops that truly gives back season after season.
Why Garlic Is One Of The Best Crops To Grow In NZ
There is something deeply satisfying about planting garlic.
Unlike fast-growing crops, garlic teaches patience. You plant cloves during the cooler months, let winter work its magic underground, and months later, you are rewarded with beautiful homegrown bulbs full of flavour.
Homegrown garlic also tastes incredible compared to store-bought garlic. The flavour is often stronger, fresher, and far more aromatic.
Garlic is:
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beginner friendly
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low maintenance
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ideal for small gardens and pots
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useful in almost every kitchen
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excellent for long-term storage when cured properly
Plus, once you start growing your own garlic, it quickly becomes one of those crops you simply never want to skip each year. Watch our garlic top tips reel here.
When To Plant Garlic In NZ
One of the most searched garlic questions in New Zealand is:
“When should you plant garlic in NZ?”
Garlic is usually planted from April through to August in most parts of New Zealand.
Garlic needs cooler temperatures to establish roots and develop large, healthy bulbs underground. Planting during autumn and early winter allows the cloves to experience the cold conditions they need before strong spring growth begins.
In colder regions like Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, garlic is often planted earlier in autumn. In milder northern regions, planting can continue further into winter.
The key is not to leave planting too late.
Garlic planted too late in the season often produces smaller bulbs because it misses valuable root-growing time during winter.
How To Plant Garlic
Garlic is very simple to plant.
Step 1: Separate The Cloves
Break the garlic bulb carefully into individual cloves. Leave the papery skins intact as this helps protect the cloves after planting.
Step 2: Plant Pointy End Up
Plant each clove with the pointed end facing upward. This is where the shoot will emerge.
Step 3: Plant At The Correct Depth
Plant cloves around 5cm deep into free-draining soil.
Step 4: Space Correctly
Space cloves approximately 15cm apart in rows, leaving around 30cm between rows so bulbs have enough room to develop properly underground.
Step 5: Mulch Well
Mulching garlic helps regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and protect the soil during winter.
Pea straw, dried leaves, or wool all work beautifully as mulch around garlic plants.
Best Soil And Growing Conditions For Garlic
Garlic prefers:
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full sun
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free-draining soil
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fertile soil rich in organic matter
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consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged
One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make with garlic is planting into heavy wet soil. Garlic hates sitting in soggy conditions and cloves may rot before they even establish properly.
If your soil tends to stay wet during winter, raised garden beds or containers can work extremely well for growing garlic in NZ.
Garlic is also surprisingly hungry while growing. Adding compost or soil enhancer before planting and feeding occasionally through the growing season can help produce much larger bulbs.
5 Common Garlic Growing Mistakes
Even experienced gardeners still make garlic mistakes sometimes. Here are some of the most common problems Kiwi gardeners run into.
1. Planting Garlic Upside Down
Always plant cloves with the pointed end facing upward. Planting upside down can slow growth and affect bulb development.
2. Overcrowding Garlic
Garlic needs space. Cloves planted too closely together compete for nutrients, produce smaller bulbs and promote certain diseases such as rust.
3. Planting In Wet Soil
Poor drainage is one of the fastest ways to lose garlic. Wet winter soil can lead to rotting cloves and fungal issues.
4. Harvesting Too Early
This is one of the biggest garlic mistakes of all.
Large green tops above ground do not always mean large bulbs underneath. Garlic needs a long growing season and harvesting too early often results in tiny immature bulbs.
5. Forgetting To Feed Garlic
Healthy soil produces healthy garlic. Garlic benefits from nutrient-rich soil and occasional feeding during active growth.
Why Is My Garlic Not Forming Bulbs?
If your garlic leaves look healthy but the bulbs stay tiny, there are usually a few possible reasons:
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planting too late
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not enough winter chill
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overcrowding
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poor soil nutrition
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harvesting too early
Garlic simply takes time.
This is not a quick crop, and patience is often the secret ingredient behind beautiful large bulbs.
Can You Grow Garlic From Supermarket Garlic?
Technically yes, but it is usually not recommended.
Imported supermarket garlic may carry diseases, may not suit NZ growing conditions, and is often treated or stored differently to seed garlic selected for planting.
Using quality NZ seed garlic gives you a much better chance of producing healthy, productive crops.
At Kings Seeds, our Printanor Garlic is selected specifically for growing performance and flavour, making it an excellent choice for Kiwi home gardeners.
Can You Grow Garlic In Pots?
Absolutely.
Garlic grows surprisingly well in containers as long as:
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the pot has good drainage
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the soil is fertile
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the container receives full sun
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cloves are spaced properly
This makes garlic perfect for renters, small-space gardeners, and anyone growing food on patios or decks.
Maintaining and Harvesting Garlic
Once garlic is established, it is a relatively low-maintenance crop, but a little care through winter and spring can make a big difference to your final harvest. Keep the area weed-free, as garlic does not like competing for nutrients or space. Water during extended dry periods, particularly through spring while bulbs are developing, but avoid overwatering as garlic dislikes soggy soil. Where possible water in the morning so the leaves dry out faster to avoid fungal issues such as rust. If flower stalks, known as garlic scapes, appear on hardneck varieties, remove them so the plant can focus its energy on producing larger bulbs underground.
When To Harvest Garlic In NZ
Garlic is usually ready to harvest in early-mid summer.
A good rule is to wait until the lower leaves begin turning brown while the upper leaves are still slightly green.
Harvest too early and bulbs may remain small. Harvest too late and bulbs may begin splitting apart in the soil.
Lift bulbs carefully using a fork rather than pulling directly on the stems.
How To Cure And Store Garlic
One of the best things about growing garlic is how long it stores once properly cured.
After harvesting:
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brush excess soil off gently
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leave stalks attached
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hang or place bulbs somewhere dry with good airflow
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avoid direct sunlight or damp conditions
Garlic usually takes around 2–4 weeks to cure properly.
Once cured, garlic can store for many months, with some varieties lasting right through until the next growing season.
What Should Not Be Planted Next To Garlic?
Garlic grows beautifully alongside many crops, but it is best kept away from beans and peas as it may slow their growth.
Garlic is often planted near:
Many gardeners love garlic for companion planting because its strong scent may help deter some common garden pests.
Ready To Grow Garlic This Season?
If you are ready to grow your own garlic this year, explore the Kings Seeds Printanor Garlic range available in:
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2 bulb packs
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5 bulb packs
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10 bulb packs
Whether you are planting your very first garlic crop or adding another season to your gardening journey, Kings Seeds is proud to be a trusted one-stop shop for Kiwi gardeners looking for real NZ gardening advice, quality products, and trusted seeds for growing success.
Happy planting 🧄
