Garlic – how to grow it & cook with it
Garlic is one of the most essential ingredients in cooking – and one of the easiest crops to grow at home.
From rich, slow‑roasted cloves to the base flavour of sauces, curries and roasts, it sits at the heart of countless dishes.
Once planted, it requires very little maintenance, and a single harvest can supply your kitchen for months.
Quick links to the article content:
1. Quick facts
- Type: Bulb (allium family)
- Grows well in: Soil, raised beds, containers
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best grown: Outdoors (overwintered)
- Harvest time: Late spring to summer (planted in autumn)
2. Why grow garlic at home?
There are four key reasons why it is worth growing yourself:
A – Flavour difference vs supermarket one
Freshly harvested it will have a much stronger and deeper flavour compared to store‑bought bulbs, which are often dried and stored for long periods.
This makes a noticeable difference in cooking, especially in simple dishes.
B – The garlic type you can grow
But one of the key reasons I love it is that you can grow varieties simply not available in shops.
There are over 600 different varieties – each with it’s own distinct flavour.
But most shops only sell 1 type – growing your own will let you use a variety with a flavour that is fantastic in different recipes.
C – Very low maintenance
It is one of the easiest crops to grow. Once cloves are planted, they require minimal effort- making it ideal for beginners or low‑time gardeners.
D – Long storage and value
It stores extremely well once harvested and dried, often lasting for months.
This means a single growing season can provide a long‑term supply for your kitchen.
3. How to grow garlic
Garlic is simple to grow because it follows a natural cycle – plant in autumn, let it develop over winter, and harvest in summer.
My step‑by‑step guides cover:
- How to grow garlic
- Choosing the right garlic (seed garlic vs supermarket)
- When and how to plant cloves
- Soil preparation and spacing
- Watering and basic care
- Harvesting and drying (curing)
(Sorry currently updating my growing advice & will be adding the links when ready)
It is grown from individual cloves planted directly into the soil rather than from seeds.
3 main ways to grow garlic
It doesn’t need complex setups, but you can grow it in:
- Ground soil or beds – ideal for larger harvests
- Raised beds – better drainage and easier management
- Containers – suitable for smaller or urban spaces
When growing it prefers well‑drained soil and full sun for best results.
4. Garlic types – which ones to grow and why
There are two main types, and choosing the right one depends on your climate and how you cook.
Hardneck garlic
Stronger flavour with larger cloves and more variation between varieties. Better suited to colder climates and ideal for flavour‑led cooking.
Typical examples are :
- Chesnok red garlic – Great taste and possible the best option for roasting
- Red Duke garlic – Intense, hot and spicy flavour, ideal for Czech recipes.
Softneck garlic
Milder flavour with more cloves per bulb and longer storage life. Often the type you see in shops and great for everyday use.
Typical examples are :
- Messidrome garlic – Often used in French kitchens, ideal for slow cookers.
- Albigensian Garlic – Lovely flavour, ideal for vegetable & fish dish recipes.
Specialty (e.g. black garlic)
Fermented or speciality varieties offer completely different flavours.
Often sweeter, softer, and more complex, and are used in more advanced cooking.
Choosing a mix can give you both strong flavour and long storage.
For a more detailed description have a look at the garlic types page
5. How to use garlic in cooking
You will find it is used in almost every style of cooking and forms the base of many dishes.
You can use it:
- Raw for sharp, strong flavour
- Gently cooked for sweetness and depth
- Roasted for a soft, rich, almost buttery texture
- As a base for sauces, soups and marinades
The way you will use it when cooking will dramatically changes its flavour – from pungent and sharp to mellow and sweet.
6. Example recipes
If you’re growing garlic, these are the types of dishes that make the most of it:
- Roasted garlic for spreading or sauces
- Garlic‑based pasta sauces and dressings
- Slow‑cooked stews and curries
- Garlic butter for meats, fish and vegetables
- Simple garlic oils and marinades
Fresh garlic will always give a stronger, cleaner flavour than pre‑prepared alternatives.
Where to go next
If you’re new to growing garlic:
- Plant cloves in autumn
- Choose a well‑drained, sunny spot
- Leave it to grow naturally over winter
It’s one of the simplest ways to start growing your own ingredients — with one of the biggest impacts on your cooking.