Our tips for growing autumn garlic and onions successfully

Autumn is the ideal season to plant garlic and onions. These hardy crops require little care and guarantee abundant harvests in spring and summer. Here are some tips to help you succeed.

Advice before planting

Choose a sunny spot with light, well-drained soil that is not too rich in nitrogen.

Crop rotation: avoid planting garlic and onions after other alliums (leeks, shallots, chives) to reduce the risk of disease.

Soil preparation: loosen the soil and add some well-rotted compost, but avoid fresh manure, which can promote disease.

When and how to plant garlic?

When to plant?: white and purple garlic are planted in autumn (October to December), while pink garlic can also be planted in spring.

How to plant?: carefully separate the cloves without damaging them, place them pointy side up, 3-4 cm deep, spaced 10-15 cm apart in the row and 25-30 cm between rows.

Tips: do not water after planting, autumn moisture is enough. Keep the soil weed-free and apply light mulch to limit weeds. Garlic tolerates cold well but dislikes excess moisture. Plant it on a raised bed to prevent cloves from rotting.

When and how to plant onions?

When to plant?: white and yellow autumn onions are planted from October to December, depending on the region.

How to plant?: use small sets, place them pointy side up, 2-3 cm deep, spaced 8-10 cm apart, with 25 cm between rows.

Tips: as with garlic, avoid excess water and prefer well-drained soil. A light mulch protects against cold and suppresses weeds. Onions are hardy but sensitive to excess water. Plant sets on a raised bed to ensure good drainage.

Care throughout the months

Garlic and onions require little maintenance:

• Weed regularly to reduce competition.

• Water only if spring is very dry.

• Watch for diseases such as rust or onion fly.

Harvest and storage

Garlic: harvest in June-July, when the leaves turn yellow and collapse. Pull up the bulbs and let them dry in the sun for a few days before storing them in a dry, ventilated place.

Onions: harvest in summer, when the foliage is dry. Store in bunches hung up or in nets, in a dry place away from moisture.

In summary

Planting garlic and onions in autumn ensures abundant harvests the following year with minimal effort. Proper soil preparation, correct planting, and light care are the keys to success.