Can garlic grow in containers on a patio?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Growing garlic on patios begins by selecting pots that are 12 inches deep (~30cm). Shallow containers can hinder bulb development. My first attempt growing garlic on my patio was using 8-inch-deep pots, and after harvest, the cloves were thin like a pencil. Drainage holes in the pot will enable the roots to drain excess water. Coffee filters also work well to line the bottom of pots and retain soil when watered.
Poor Drainage
- Root rot from standing water
- Use pots with 3+ drainage holes
- Elevate pots on bricks
Wrong Soil
- Garden soil compacts in containers
- Mix 50% potting soil + 30% compost + 20% perlite
- Test pH (6.0-7.0 ideal)
Vary the fertilizer to container garlic every 3 weeks. I switch to 0-10-10 once the garlic has developed a bulb. Before that, it is just plain 5-5-5 liquid fish emulsion for the entire leaf growth. If you provide too much nitrogen you will develop lush garlic leaves but tiny bulbs. By contrast, after my neighbor grew container garlic he doubled the amount of produce he harvested with this method.
Spring
- Move pots to full sun
- Water when top 1" (2.5cm) dries
- Apply mulch to retain moisture
Winter
- Wrap pots in bubble wrap
- Group containers for insulation
- Reduce watering by 50%
Every three months, rotate containers for consistent sun exposure. If you have a south-facing balcony, consider using shade cloth during hot spells. My client in Arizona utilizes 30% UV-block fabric between the hours of 10 AM-2 PM, which lessens the risk of leaf scorch. Aim to harvest when about 40% of the leaf surface has yellowed. If you are growing in containers, your bulbs will likely mature in 2-3 weeks sooner than when planted in ground soil.
Read the full article: How to Grow Garlic Successfully in Any Climate
