Your seed garlic growing guide

Seed garlic planting guide: timing, density and varieties


Our advice for a successful crop


A successful garlic crop starts with choosing a variety suited to the planting period, the climate and the characteristics of the field.

For professional production, certified seed garlic provides identified, traceable planting material. Planting it in good conditions contributes to even emergence and uniform bulb development.

This guide covers the main stages of the crop: choosing the planting period, preparing the soil, planting, crop care, irrigation, harvesting and storage.

How to plant garlic?


Split the heads into cloves as close to planting as possible.

Each clove is planted tip up. For professional production, a depth of around 5 cm is a good starting point, to be adjusted to the soil and the equipment used.

Planting density and seed garlic requirements

Seed garlic planting density and seed requirement

Which soil for growing garlic?


Garlic needs loose, well-drained soil. Prolonged waterlogging, especially in winter, can compromise the crop. On fields that drain poorly, planting on ridges can be considered.

Before planting, soil preparation should allow even planting:
  • Drainage: avoid areas where water stands for long periods.
  • Structure: aim for loose soil with no marked compaction.
  • Soil condition: work the field once it has dried out sufficiently.
  • Preparation: make sure the ground is level and fine enough for the planter.

When and how to harvest garlic?


The harvest date depends on the variety, the planting date and the weather. For garlic intended for storage, yellowing and drying of the foliage are the indicators to watch in the field.

The stage should be confirmed by checking the bulbs: harvesting too early limits their development, while harvesting too late can harm their appearance and storage.

After lifting, handle the bulbs carefully and quickly arrange for them to dry with good ventilation. Then sort the bulbs before storage, discarding any that are damaged or diseased.

Planting and harvest calendar

The key garlic growing periods, month by month.

VarietyEarlinessPlanting periodStorage lifeSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
AulxitoUltra-earlySep - Oct4 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvest
GermidourVery earlyOct - Nov4 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvest
MessidrômeEarlyOct - Nov5 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvestHarvest
SabadrômeEarlyOct - Nov5 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvestHarvest
ThéradorEarlyOct - Nov5 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvest
ThermidrômeEarlyOct - Nov4 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvestHarvest
MessidorEarlyOct - Nov5 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvestHarvest
SabagoldEarlySep - Nov5 to 6 monthsPlantingPlantingPlantingHarvestHarvest
Aulxito
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
Germidour
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
Messidrôme
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
Sabadrôme
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
Thérador
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
Thermidrôme
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
Messidor
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
Sabagold
SONDJFMAMJJA
Planting
Harvest
PlantingHarvest

Calculate your seed garlic needs

Garlic field
Number of cloves

approx. 220 cloves/kg (size 40/50)

approx. 125 cloves/kg (size 50/60)

approx. 125 cloves/kg (size 60+)

Number of bags for your area

Earliness, flavour, storage: find the garlic variety that suits your farm.

 Choosing the right seed garlic variety 

Aulxito seed garlic: white autumn garlic for fresh sales

Aulxito is a white autumn garlic with a flower stalk and white bulbs and cloves. Its dormancy is very low and its storage medium-term, which makes it suited to fresh sales and short supply chains. Its earliness makes up for a slightly lower yield.

Early planting is recommended, at the end of September or early October, with irrigation at planting to limit the entry of penicillium, to which the variety is susceptible. The variety is regenerated and free from OYDV virus.

See all our size grades and packaging options for the Aulxito variety!

Germidour seed garlic: very early purple autumn garlic

Germidour is a very early purple autumn garlic with low dormancy. Its round bulb, with purple skin, has 10 to 15 ivory-white cloves. Its flavour is strong and slightly spicy.

Germidour is planted from September to November, ideally in October, preferably in clay soil, and harvested in May and June. Productive and good for storage, it is sold fresh, semi-dry and dry. The variety is free from OYDV virus.

See all our size grades and packaging options for the Germidour variety!

Messidor seed garlic: early white autumn garlic with large cloves

Messidor is an early white autumn garlic with no flower stalk. Its very white bulbs carry 10 to 15 large cloves. Vigorous and high-yielding, the variety withstands harsh climates well thanks to its root system.

Messidor is planted from mid-September to December, ideally in October, in light soil, and harvested in June and July. Its dormancy is medium and it stores well, for semi-dry and dry sales. The variety is regenerated and free from OYDV virus.

See all our size grades and packaging options for the Messidor variety!

Messidrôme seed garlic: productive white autumn garlic with a mild flavour

Messidrôme is a mid-early white autumn garlic with medium dormancy. Its round bulb, with white skin, has 8 to 14 ivory to cream cloves of excellent shape. Its flavour is mild and subtle, with a slight hint of spiciness.

Messidrôme is planted from September to November and harvested from late May to July. Very productive, it withstands drought well and stores well. It is sold semi-dry and dry. The variety is free from OYDV virus.

See all our size grades and packaging options for the Messidrôme variety!

Thérador seed garlic: early, high-yielding white autumn garlic

Thérador is an early white autumn garlic with no flower stalk. Its white bulbs with purple tints have 12 to 17 cloves and an excellent shape. Vigorous, the variety withstands harsh climates thanks to its root system.

Thérador is planted from September to November, ideally in October, in light soil, and harvested in June and July. Its dormancy is medium and it is sold semi-dry and dry. The variety is regenerated and free from OYDV virus.

See all our size grades and packaging options for the Thérador variety!

Thermidrôme seed garlic: long-keeping white autumn garlic

Thermidrôme is an early white autumn garlic with no flower stalk. Its round bulb, white with purple tints, has 10 to 15 beige cloves. Its flavour is mild and sweet.

Thermidrôme is planted from September to November, in light, well-drained soils rich in organic matter, and harvested from late May to July. It tolerates cold well and keeps for up to 150 days. It is sold semi-dry and dry. The variety is free from OYDV virus.

See all our size grades and packaging options for the Thermidrôme variety! 

Sabadrôme seed garlic: early, hardy white autumn garlic

Sabadrôme is an early white autumn garlic with no flower stalk. Hardy, vigorous and well divided, this variety adapts well to harsh conditions and produces large white bulbs. Each bulb has 10 to 15 beige cloves.

Sabadrôme is planted from September to November and harvested from May to July. Its dormancy is medium and its bulbs are intended for semi-dry and dry sales. The variety is regenerated and free from OYDV virus.

See all our size grades and packaging options for the Sabadrôme variety!