Planting garlic now — simple, effective and a top companion plant
Planting garlic cloves
Winter (or late autumn) garlic planting is quick and a high-value garden job — plus garlic makes a great companion plant around borders and veg beds.
Practical tips for growing Garlic
- Buy Bulbs/cloves garlic (healthy bulbs) and separate into large cloves. Plant pointy end up, 4–5 cm deep and about 10–15 cm apart. Mulch after planting to protect over winter. GardenAdvice has a full winter garlic guide if you’d like detailed steps: https://gardenadvice.co.uk/juliaandbrian/how-to-grow-garlic-from-bulbs-a-winter-planting-guide/
- Companion advantage: Garlic repels many pests (aphids and soft-bodied insects). Planting garlic in strips or scattered through beds — especially near roses, brassicas and fruit trees — helps reduce pest pressure. GardenAdvice highlights garlic interplanting as an effective companion strategy for pest reduction.
- Timing & storage: Plant now if soil isn’t waterlogged. Keep a note of varieties and beds for harvesting next summer https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/how-to-grow-garlic-a-complete-guide/