How to grow your own garlic in small spaces

February 22, 2025

Grow Garlic Like a Pro – Even in the Tiniest Spaces

Think you need a sprawling backyard to grow your own garlic? Think again! If you've got a sunny balcony, a courtyard, or even just a few pots, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown garlic with minimal effort. It's easy, rewarding, and your future self will thank you when you're cooking with garlic you grew with your own hands.

Why Grow Your Own Garlic?

Let’s be honest. Store-bought garlic just doesn’t compare to the rich, full-bodied flavour of homegrown bulbs. Not only do they taste better, but you also get the added bonus of knowing exactly how they were grown – no nasty chemicals, just pure, natural goodness.

Choosing the Right Garlic Variety

You can’t just plant any garlic clove from the supermarket and expect great results. Typically, store-bought cloves have been treated to prevent sprouting. The best option? Garlic bulbs from a local nursery or garden centre. If you want something suited to the climate, go for softneck varieties. They grow well in various conditions and store for months after harvesting.

Where to Grow Garlic in Small Spaces

Pots and Containers: Garlic doesn’t need much room. A deep pot (at least 20 cm) with good drainage is perfect.
Raised Garden Beds: If you’ve got a small patch of dirt, raised beds make garlic-growing even easier.
Vertical Gardens: Innovative planters and vertical wall pockets can work surprisingly well.

Step-By-Step Guide to Growing Garlic

1. Pick Your Pot or Garden Spot

Garlic loves full sun, so find the sunniest spot you’ve got. If you're growing in a pot, choose one that’s wide enough to give each clove about 10 cm of space.

2. Use Quality Soil

Good soil makes all the difference. A mix of premium potting mix with a bit of compost will give your garlic the nutrients it needs.

3. Planting the Cloves

Break a head of garlic into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact. Plant each clove pointy-end up, about 2-3 cm deep, spacing them around 10 cm apart.

4. Water Wisely

Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Too much water can lead to rot, while too little will result in stunted bulbs.

5. Feed Your Garlic

A light feeding of liquid fertiliser every few weeks will help growth. Just don’t go overboard – garlic isn’t a heavy feeder.

6. Keep an Eye on Weeds

Garlic doesn’t like competition. Keep the area around your plants weed-free to give them the best chance to thrive.

When to Harvest

Garlic takes a little patience, with most varieties ready to harvest in 6-8 months. You'll know it's time when the lower leaves start to turn brown, but the top few leaves are still green. Gently dig them up (don’t just yank them out), and let them dry in a well-ventilated spot for a couple of weeks.

Bonus Tip: Growing Garlic Greens

If you’re after quick rewards, plant a few extra cloves and trim the greens as they sprout. Garlic greens are delicious in salads, stir-fries, or as a garnish.

Start Small, Dream Big

Whether it’s a pot on your balcony or a raised bed in the backyard, garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow. It needs little space, requires minimal effort, and rewards you with some of the most fragrant, flavour-packed bulbs you’ll ever use in the kitchen.

Happy planting!
Candeece

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