When to Plant Garlic in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow March to June. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is March.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Garlic guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Garlic

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops for Australian home gardeners. Plant cloves in autumn, harvest in summer. It practically grows itself. Variety selection is critical: softneck types for warm climates, hardneck for cold. Subtropical-specific varieties exist for northern growers. Home-grown garlic is vastly superior to imported Chinese garlic that dominates supermarket shelves.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - D D D D - - - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Garlic sowing time in Brisbane?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Garlic included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 5–20°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Garlic in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Late February to mid-March for subtropical varieties. March-April for Turban/Artichoke types. Brisbane/SEQ timing is earlier than southern states.

Soil
Well-drained, fertile sandy loam enriched with aged compost. Garlic absolutely demands good drainage. Waterlogged soil causes bulb rot. Raised beds ideal in heavy clay areas. Do not add fresh manure at planting time.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours). No shade tolerance. Garlic needs maximum sun for bulb development.
Spacing
15cm apart, 25cm between rows
Watering
Water regularly during active growth (autumn-spring) but reduce watering as leaves begin to yellow in late spring/summer. Stop watering 2-3 weeks before harvest. Wet soil at harvest causes storage rot

Companion plants: Rose, Tomato, Beetroot, Lettuce, Chamomile, Strawberry

Avoid planting near: Peas, Beans, Asparagus, Sage

Subtropical Growing Tips for Garlic

Recommended Varieties

  • Glenlarge (Subtropical)
  • Southern Glen (Subtropical)
  • Italian Pink (Subtropical)
  • Italian Red (Subtropical)
  • Early Italian Purple (Turban)

Key Challenges

  • Must choose subtropical or turban/artichoke varieties
  • Hardneck varieties will not bulb properly
  • Rust in humid spring
  • Fusarium in warm soils

Pro Tips

  • Glenlarge was developed at Gatton Research Station specifically for SEQ conditions
  • Plant earlier than you think. Late February is not too early in subtropical zones
  • Turban types (e.g., Early Italian Purple) also work well in SEQ

Harvesting Garlic

When ready: Bottom 3-4 leaves brown and dried, top 4-5 leaves still green. This typically indicates 5-7 bulb wrappers remain (each green leaf = one wrapper). Do not wait until all leaves die. Bulb wrappers deteriorate and bulbs split open. Dig one test bulb to check. Cloves should fill the wrapper tightly with clear clove differentiation.

How to harvest: Loosen soil alongside row with garden fork, then gently lift bulbs. Do NOT pull by the stalk, it may break. Brush off loose soil but do not wash. Cure in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated area for 2-4 weeks until outer wrappers are papery and stems are dry. Trim roots and stalks after curing (or braid softneck types).

Where to next

What garlic costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your garlic: Rust (various).

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $31.50/kg (12-month range: $29.99–$35.01)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

Common Questions About Garlic

When do you plant garlic in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does garlic grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Mar to Jun. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.