Separate the bulbs into cloves and plant each clove individually. The pointed end should face upwards. Place the clove around 5 cm deep and leave 12–15 cm between neighbouring cloves. Plant autumn garlic from mid-October to mid-November; on our farm, we plant in late October.
Start with suitable seed garlic
For planting, we keep the largest, finest bulbs from the harvest. This is hardneck autumn garlic adapted to the Pannonian climate. We do not claim a specific variety name. The important practical fact is that the garlic has not been treated with sprout inhibitors.
We select the seed bulbs after harvest and the full curing process. We lift the garlic in late June, leave it in the field for two days and then cure it under cover for six weeks. Only when the stalks feel like paper do we clean and sort it, setting aside the largest bulbs for the next planting.
- Selected large bulbs from our own harvest
- Hardneck autumn garlic
- No treatment to prevent sprouting
Calculate the quantity and mark the spacing
One kilogram of seed garlic gives around 60 plants. At a spacing of 12–15 cm, this is enough for approximately 8–10 linear metres of bed. Before planting, estimate the length available and adjust the quantity to the area you actually want to plant.
Marks every 12–15 cm will help keep the spacing even. Because bulbs and cloves vary in size, 60 plants is an estimate. Work out the final number of planting positions after separating the bulbs into individual cloves.
- 1 kg gives around 60 planting positions
- Plan for 8–10 linear metres
- Mark positions every 12–15 cm
Plant every clove with the pointed end up
Separate the bulb into individual cloves. Each clove is one planting unit and goes into its own prepared position. Face the broader, flatter base downwards and the pointed end upwards. When planting by hand, you can check the direction of every clove.
Place the clove around 5 cm deep. Then move to the next mark, 12–15 cm away. Repeat the process until you have planted all the prepared cloves. Keep three measurements in mind throughout: 5 cm deep, 12–15 cm apart and the planned total length of the bed.
- One clove is one planting unit
- The pointed end must face upwards
- Plant around 5 cm deep
- Space cloves 12–15 cm apart
Plant within the autumn window
Plant autumn garlic from mid-October to mid-November. Another useful guideline is around three to four weeks before the first frost. On our farm in Gaberje, we complete the hand planting in late October.
We dispatch seed garlic in late September, leaving time to decide the quantity and prepare the layout before planting. After autumn planting, the garlic lies dormant through winter and resumes growing in spring. We harvest in late June.
- Window: mid-October to mid-November
- Our practice: late October
- Harvest: late June
A final planting checklist
Before finishing, check that every clove is planted separately with its pointed end up. Check the approximate depth of 5 cm and spacing of 12–15 cm as well. This short review helps ensure that none of the basic measurements were missed during repetitive planting.
Make a note of the quantity used and the length of bed planted. If you used around 1 kg, you can expect about 60 planting positions across approximately 8–10 linear metres. This record will make it easier to plan how much seed garlic you need next autumn.
- Check the direction of every clove
- Check the depth and spacing
- Record the quantity and bed length