How Deep to Plant Garlic (and Why It Matters)
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If you’ve ever planted garlic and ended up with tiny bulbs, cloves popping out of the soil, or garlic that just never took off, depth is usually the culprit. Garlic is one of those crops where a few centimetres make a huge difference — especially in Perth’s sandy soil. Or any soil for that matter.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how deep to plant garlic, why depth matters so much, and how to adjust for Perth’s unique conditions.
If you prefer to watch instead of read, the quick video version is below.
The Perfect Planting Depth: 3–5 cm
Garlic cloves should be planted 3–5 cm deep, with the pointy end up.
This depth gives the clove enough protection to form strong roots and a healthy bulb, without being buried so deeply that it struggles to sprout.
Why Depth Matters More Than You Think
1. Too Shallow = Drying Out + Tiny Bulbs
Perth’s sandy soil dries out fast. Shallow cloves:
- dry out
- get pushed up by watering
- form small, weak bulbs
2. Too Deep = Slow Growth + Rot Risk
If cloves are buried too deep, they:
- take longer to sprout
- may rot in cool, wet soil
- produce uneven bulbs
How to Adjust for Perth’s Sandy Soil
If your soil is very sandy or loose, go slightly deeper — closer to 5–6 cm. This helps the clove stay anchored and protected.
If your soil is heavier or clay‑leaning, stay closer to 3 cm.
Spacing + Depth Together
Depth and spacing work as a pair. Use:
- 3–5 cm deep
- A hand‑width apart
- Or the 4‑per‑grid method
This gives each bulb room to expand.
How to Tell If You Planted Too Shallow
Signs include:
- cloves visible on the surface
- shoots leaning or flopping
- bulbs forming above the soil line
If this happens, simply mound a little soil over the top.
What I Learned From My Own Garlic Depth Mistakes
My first year, I planted too shallow, and half my cloves popped up after the first watering. Now I always check the depth with my finger and gently firm the soil around each clove.
Small tweaks make a big difference.
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