How to grow your own garlic in small spaces

March 10, 2025

Growing Garlic in Small Spaces: A Beginner's Guide

There’s something special about growing your own garlic. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of pulling fresh bulbs from the soil or knowing exactly what went into growing them. Either way, the good news is that you don’t need a sprawling garden to do it! If you’ve got a balcony, a courtyard, or even just a sunny windowsill, you can grow your own garlic with ease.

Why Grow Your Own Garlic?

Store-bought garlic often travels long distances before it lands in your kitchen. By growing your own, you get fresh, chemical-free bulbs that taste better than anything you can buy. Plus, garlic is one of the easiest crops for beginners – plant it in autumn, forget about it, and harvest months later. No green thumb required!

Getting Started: Choosing the Right Garlic

Not all garlic is created equal. Supermarket bulbs may not sprout properly, so it’s best to get garlic suited for planting. Visit a local garden centre (like Strathalbyn H Hardware) and look for ‘seed garlic’ – these are untreated, high-quality bulbs perfect for growing.

Where to Plant Garlic in Small Spaces

If you've got limited space, don’t worry. Garlic doesn’t need much room to thrive. Here’s where you can plant it:

Pots & Containers: Perfect for balconies or courtyards. Choose a container at least 20cm deep with drainage holes.
Raised Garden Beds: Great if you have a small backyard but want to keep things manageable.
Window Boxes: If all you have is a sunny windowsill, garlic will still grow happily there.

How to Plant Garlic

Ready to plant? Follow these simple steps:

Prepare the Soil: Garlic loves well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Add some compost to improve its quality.
Break the Bulbs: Separate your garlic bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact.
Plant the Cloves: Push each clove 3-5cm deep into the soil, with the pointy end facing up. Space them about 10cm apart.
Water Gently: Give them a light watering to settle them in.
Place in a Sunny Spot: Garlic needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to thrive.

Looking After Your Garlic

Now comes the easiest part – waiting! Garlic doesn’t need constant attention, but a little care goes a long way:

Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. During winter, natural rainfall usually does the job.
Feeding: A light application of organic fertiliser every few weeks gives garlic a good boost.
Weeding: Keep weeds away so they don’t compete for nutrients.
Mulching: A layer of straw or sugar cane mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

When and How to Harvest Garlic

Patience is key! After about 6-8 months, your garlic will be ready to harvest when the leaves start to go yellow and fall over. Use a trowel to gently lift the bulbs from the soil – don’t yank them out, as this can damage them.

Once harvested, let the garlic dry in a well-ventilated area for a few weeks. This ‘curing’ process helps them store for months. When the outer layers are dry and papery, they’re ready to use!

Garlic Troubleshooting

Garlic is pretty low-maintenance, but here are a few common problems and how to fix them:

Small Bulbs? It could be lack of sun or overcrowding. Next time, space them out more and ensure they get plenty of light.
Mouldy Cloves? Overwatering is usually the culprit. Make sure your pots have good drainage.
Pest Problems? Aphids and thrips sometimes show up, but a quick spray of soapy water can send them packing.

Enjoy Your Homegrown Garlic

That’s it! With just a little space and a few months of patience, you’ll be enjoying better-tasting, homegrown garlic in no time. Whether you use it fresh, roast it for a rich, caramelised flavour, or store it for later, nothing beats the satisfaction of growing your own food.

Happy planting!

- Candeece