When to Plant Onions and Garlic: A Practical Guide for Gardeners (2026)

Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-204, "All the Onions" by Betty E. M. Jacobs, is a pocket-sized powerhouse for anyone who wants to grow better onions. Part of a long-running series known for delivering practical know-how without padding, this 32-page booklet cuts straight to what matters. It targets home gardeners, small-scale farmers, and anyone curious about raising alliums from garlic to shallots. The author assumes you're serious about results but doesn't waste time on fluff.

The real strength here is how it packs essential knowledge into such a small format. One reviewer mentioned they had never gotten a decent onion harvest until reading this booklet. Another discovered their onion bulbs weren't swelling because they were using short-day varieties in a long-day northern climate. The booklet explains the day-length phenomenon clearly and helps you choose the right type for your region. It also covers starting from seeds, sets, or transplants, plus details on planting depth, spacing, and soil preparation.

Design is utilitarian but effective. The booklet is a staple-bound paperback with a lightweight cover and small dimensions (5.5 x 8.5 inches) that slip easily into a garden tool bag. Text is dense but well organized with subheadings and bullet lists. There are no photographs, just simple line drawings that illustrate concepts like proper planting depth. Some might wish for color photos of pest damage, but the descriptions are clear enough to identify problems. The paper is standard matte and not glossy, so it's fine for thumbing through outdoors.

Drawbacks are few but worth noting. At 32 pages, this is a summary rather than a comprehensive tome. Seasoned gardeners may find they already know most of the content. One reviewer gave it 3 stars saying "nothing new." Also, if you prefer visual learning with plenty of photos, this booklet relies heavily on text. However, for the price, it delivers an excellent return on investment. The practical tips on harvesting, curing, and storing onions alone can prevent post-harvest losses.

Verdict: "All the Onions" is a smart buy for anyone who wants to grow onions with confidence. Beginners will learn the ropes quickly; experienced growers might pick up a useful tip or two. It's not a coffee-table book, but as a field guide it earns its place in the shed. Pair it with a soil thermometer and a packet of seeds for a complete start to onion season.

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC

Publication Date: January 6, 1999 (Updated edition)

Language: English

Print Length: 32 pages

ISBN-10: 1580172253

ISBN-13: 978-1580172257

Item Weight: 1.59 ounces

Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.13 x 8.55 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #548,551 in Books; #370 in Organic & Sustainable Gardening; #405 in Vegetable Gardening

The 12-Month Vegetable Gardener's Handbook by Susan Jeffries is a practical guide designed to help you grow vegetables year-round, no matter where you live. It breaks down planting and harvesting tasks month by month across three climate categories: cold, cool/temperate, and subtropical/tropical. This structure makes it easy to find the right advice for your specific region without sifting through generic information.

What sets this book apart is its focus on timing. Many gardeners struggle with planting too early or too late, leading to poor yields. This handbook provides clear schedules and checklists so you know exactly what to do each month. It also covers essential equipment, seasonal pest control, and ways to handle excess harvest. Readers appreciate the straightforward language and the inclusion of both northern and southern hemisphere guidance, which is rare in gardening books.

At 136 pages, it's a concise read that doesn't overwhelm. The paperback format is lightweight and easy to keep in a garden shed. Customer reviews average 4.4 stars, with many praising its practicality for beginners. However, some experienced gardeners in very cold climates (zones 3-5) noted that the cold climate recommendations might not be fully realistic for their conditions. A few also mentioned that local adjustments are still necessary for precise planting dates.

Overall, this handbook is a valuable resource for anyone looking to extend their growing season and avoid common mistakes. It's especially useful for new gardeners who need a structured plan. While it may not replace detailed local guides, it provides a solid foundation for year-round vegetable gardening. If you want a straightforward, climate-aware approach to gardening, this book is worth adding to your library.

If you grow onions, garlic, or shallots, you know the difference between a good harvest and a great one often comes down to nutrition. TPS Plant Foods Onion Fertilizer is a liquid concentrate designed specifically for alliums. It provides a balanced NPK profile along with essential micronutrients to support every stage from seedling to bulb maturity. Whether you're tending a backyard patch or a small market garden, this fertilizer aims to deliver bigger, more flavorful onions.

The standout feature is its targeted formulation. Unlike all-purpose plant foods, this blend focuses on what onions need: strong root development, vigorous leaf growth, and consistent bulb sizing. The liquid form absorbs quickly through both roots and foliage, so you see results faster. Application is simple: mix with water and use a watering can or sprayer. No guesswork required. It works across all onion types - red, white, yellow, sweet - and also benefits garlic and shallots.

Build quality is solid for a specialty fertilizer. The 8-ounce bottle is compact but concentrated, making it easy to store. Each bottle likely covers a modest garden area (check the label for dilution rates). Being made in the USA adds a layer of trust for quality-conscious growers. The formula is designed to improve nutrient uptake and enhance flavor, which is a nice bonus beyond just size.

On the downside, the 8-ounce size may not be enough for large gardens or multiple plantings. You'll likely need to buy several bottles for a season. Also, at the time of writing, there are no customer reviews, so real-world feedback is unavailable. The price per ounce is higher than generic fertilizers, but for dedicated allium growers, the targeted nutrition can justify the cost.

Overall, TPS Plant Foods Onion Fertilizer is a well-thought-out product for anyone serious about growing onions and their relatives. It offers convenience, targeted nutrition, and the promise of better bulbs. If you're willing to invest a bit more for a specialized formula, this is a solid choice. Just plan your quantity needs upfront.

The Gardening Calendar by Ann Green is a slim, 28-page guide aimed at beginner gardeners who struggle with knowing when to plant their vegetables, fruits, and herbs. It promises to help you plan your garden tasks across all four seasons using a customizable calendar approach. If you've ever planted seeds too early or too late and ended up with a disappointing harvest, this book tries to solve that problem with straightforward seasonal advice.

The standout feature is the seasonal planting chart, which several reviewers found genuinely helpful. It covers winter, spring, summer, and autumn, giving you a quick reference for what to plant and when. The book also encourages you to design your own gardening calendar based on the samples provided, which is a nice hands-on touch. For a complete newbie, this concept can be a real time-saver and reduce guesswork.

However, the physical quality of the book is a major letdown. Multiple reviewers describe the print as looking like an old photocopy, with charts that are barely legible and don't fill the page. The paper feels flimsy, and the overall construction is cheap. One reviewer bluntly said, 'If this calendar were my only way of knowing when & what to plant, I'd starve.' That's a pretty harsh but honest assessment of the production value.

There are also concerns about the content itself. A recent review from 2025 calls it a 'print on demand AI generated book' where 'the rest of the book is incomprehensible.' The book's description does mention a free bonus gift, which feels a bit gimmicky. So while the core idea is solid and the price is low, what you get may feel more like a rushed printout than a polished gardening resource.

Verdict: This book is best for absolute beginners who want a dirt-cheap, ultra-basic starting point for planting schedules. If you can look past the poor print quality and thin content, the seasonal chart alone might be worth the price. But if you value clear, well-produced guides or need detailed instructions, you'll want to invest in a more substantial gardening book instead.

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: March 12, 2017

Language: English

Print Length: 28 pages

ISBN-10: 1544644043

ISBN-13: 978-1544644042

Item Weight: 3.2 ounces

Dimensions: 6 x 0.07 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,669 in Vegetable Gardening

The Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener's Handbook is a practical, spiral-bound guide that turns the overwhelming task of vegetable gardening into a series of simple, manageable steps. Written by Jennifer Kujawski, this book is designed for anyone who wants to grow their own food without the stress of figuring out when to plant, prune, or harvest. It is especially suited for beginners who lack experience and for seasoned gardeners who want to optimize their timing for higher yields.

The standout feature is the customizable weekly schedule. You start by determining your last spring frost date, then work forward and backward to fill in specific dates for each week of the growing season. This means the advice is tailored to your exact climate, not a one-size-fits-all plan. The book covers all major tasks: starting seeds indoors, transplanting, watering, fertilizing, pest monitoring, and harvesting. It also includes space to record notes for three years, so you can track what worked and improve each season.

Design-wise, the spiral binding is a huge plus. It lays flat on a table or the ground, even with dirty hands, and the durable covers withstand outdoor use. The illustrations are clear and instructive, focusing on key details without clutter. The writing is friendly and encouraging, often including tips and anecdotes from the authors own garden. This makes it an enjoyable read as well as a functional tool.

No product is perfect. The biggest drawback is that you must calculate your frost dates and manually fill in the weekly dates, which takes some initial effort. Also, while the system is flexible, gardeners in extreme climates (very short or very long seasons) may find that some tasks don't perfectly align. Finally, the book focuses exclusively on vegetables; if you also grow flowers or herbs, you will need a separate guide.

Overall, the Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener's Handbook is an exceptional resource that delivers on its promise of a more organized and productive garden. With a nearly perfect rating from thousands of users, it is a proven tool that simplifies gardening and reduces anxiety. If you want to grow vegetables with confidence and learn from your own experience, this book is a smart investment.

If you're looking to add a unique, edible perennial to your garden, the CozyCrib Wild Garlic (Ramsons/Buckrams) seed pack offers a solid starting point. This 40-count pack of Non-GMO seeds is marketed as an early variety of wild onion with a strong garlic aroma, and indeed, all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, and bulbs) are edible. It's a versatile ingredient that can be tossed into pesto, butter, bread dough, or alongside meat and fish. However, this isn't a set-it-and-forget-it crop. The seeds demand cold stratification at 32-37°F for at least three months before planting. That means you'll need to plan ahead, either by sowing in fall (before winter) or by mixing seeds with damp sand and refrigerating them for 80-100 days for a spring planting. Once planted in moist, slightly acidic soil in a shaded spot (think under small trees or shrubs), you'll need to keep the ground consistently damp. Be prepared for a wait: leaves appear about a year after planting, so this is a project for patient gardeners who value the payoff of homegrown wild garlic.

The standout feature here is the plant's culinary potential. The strong garlic scent and flavor make it a worthy substitute for cultivated garlic in many dishes, and the fact that you can use the leaves, stems, and bulbs means minimal waste. CozyCrib highlights its nutrient density, and while we can't verify specific vitamin claims, wild garlic is generally known for being rich in vitamins A and C. The seeds are Non-GMO and natural, which aligns with the preferences of many organic gardeners. In terms of growth, the plant reaches about 10 inches tall and is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates. It prefers full sun to partial shade, but the description emphasizes shaded spots to mimic its natural woodland environment. This is a low-maintenance perennial once established, but the initial germination phase can be tricky.

Design and build quality of the seed pack itself are straightforward: a simple resealable bag with 40 seeds. The seeds are small, so the count is approximate. Customer reviews are mixed, with a 3.6 out of 5 star rating from 63 reviews. Several users reported that seeds didn't germinate or that the pack contained fewer seeds than expected. One reviewer noted that the seeds looked like leeks, not wild garlic. Others were disappointed that they received seeds rather than started plants, as some images might suggest. On the positive side, a few buyers who understood the stratification requirements had success. It's clear that this product requires careful attention to the planting instructions, and results can vary based on conditions and seed viability.

Honestly, the main drawbacks are the need for patience and the mixed germination results. If you're new to growing from seed, especially with a species that needs cold stratification, you might face disappointment. The low germination rate reported by some users is a genuine concern. Also, the seed count may not always match the advertised 40, though this is common with small seeds. That said, for the price, it's a reasonable gamble for experienced gardeners who want to cultivate a unique, perennial edible. If you're willing to follow the stratification process precisely and wait a year for the first leaves, this could be a rewarding addition to your garden.

Final verdict: The CozyCrib Wild Garlic seed pack is a niche product best suited for patient, experienced gardeners who appreciate the challenge of growing a woodland perennial. Its culinary versatility and Non-GMO status are strong selling points, but the need for cold stratification and variable germination rates mean it's not for everyone. If you're up for the wait and the work, it's worth a shot. Just be sure to follow the planting instructions to the letter and manage your expectations regarding germination.

Growing Great Garlic by Ron L. Engeland is widely regarded as the definitive guide for anyone serious about organic garlic cultivation. First published in 1991, this book has remained a go-to resource for both home gardeners and small-scale farmers. Engeland, who runs Filaree Garlic Farm and grows over 200 strains, shares his hard-won knowledge from decades of hands-on experience. The book covers everything from selecting the right varieties and preparing soil to planting, mulching, watering, harvesting, and even marketing your crop. It's packed with practical details, including journal entries that track the growing season week by week.

What sets this guide apart is its depth and specificity. Engeland doesn't just give general advice; he provides exact fertilizer amounts per acre, discusses soil amendments in detail, and explains how different climates affect garlic development. The book also includes a useful glossary and bibliography for further reading. Readers consistently praise the thoroughness and real-world applicability. Many note that the author's "matter of fact" tone reflects a deep understanding of permaculture and sustainable farming. While some find his style opinionated, most appreciate the clarity and directness.

On the downside, the book is clearly written from the perspective of a commercial grower in the cold, semi-desert Northwest. Home gardeners in other regions may need to adapt the advice, especially regarding planting times and spacing. A few reviewers mention that the information can feel overwhelming for a casual backyard gardener. Additionally, the book is over 30 years old, so some specifics about pest control or varieties might be dated, though the core organic principles remain solid.

Physical quality: the paperback edition is a sturdy 213-page volume with clear text and a few black-and-white illustrations. It's designed to be a working reference, not a coffee table book. The layout is straightforward, with chapters organized by topic.

Verdict: If you're serious about growing great garlic organically, this book is an invaluable resource. It's best suited for dedicated hobbyists and small farmers who want to maximize their yield and quality. Casual gardeners may find it too detailed, but for those willing to dig deep, it delivers exactly what the title promises.

The Pilestone 8-Pack California Softneck Garlic Bulbs are a straightforward option for anyone wanting to grow their own garlic at home. These bulbs are fresh, large, and ready to plant in zones 3 through 9. Whether you’re a first-time garlic grower or an experienced gardener, this pack offers a reliable start for a summer harvest.

Standout qualities include fast sprouting and big, healthy cloves. Many reviewers noted that all planted cloves sprouted within a week and a half, even in cooler climates like Ohio or warmer zones like 8b. The flavor is mild and pleasant, and the bulbs store well after harvest. The softneck variety also makes braiding easy, adding a decorative touch to your kitchen.

The bulbs arrive in a simple box, but the packaging does a solid job protecting the garlic. Each bulb is firm, fragrant, and free of rot. One concern raised by a customer was the absence of roots on some bulbs, which initially suggested imported garlic. However, that same customer later updated their review after successful growth, proving that rootless bulbs can still thrive. Expect some variation in size, but overall quality is consistently high.

Drawbacks are minor. A small percentage of cloves might not sprout if stored in extreme conditions before planting. Also, because these are softneck, gourmet cooks who prefer the stronger, more complex flavor of hardneck garlic might find this variety a bit mild. But for most home gardens, this is a small trade-off for ease of growth and reliability.

Verdict: the Pilestone 8-Pack California Softneck Garlic Bulbs are a practical, well-received choice for anyone growing garlic. They sprout quickly, produce large bulbs, and come from a seller that seems committed to quality. If you want a stress-free introduction to garlic gardening, this pack delivers.