German Red

Garlic

240d to harvest

Experience German Red’s bold, lingering aroma and richly complex bite—garlic cloves that roast to a mellow sweetness while still carrying a deep, savory backbone. The bulbs form with a strong hardneck character, producing firm, easy-to-separate cloves wrapped in handsome, warm reddish-purple skins. Grow German Red for dependable, cold-hardy performance and for flavorful results in sauces, sautés, and pickled preparations.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	—
Climate	Frost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Oct 1st
Harvest Begins	Feb 28th
Harvest Ends	Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	240
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium sativum (garlic) like ‘German Red’, and how can I manage it?

Garlic commonly suffers from white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum) and botrytis/leaf blight in wet, cool conditions. Remove and discard infected plants immediately, avoid overhead irrigation, and rotate out of all Allium crops for several years to reduce soil carryover. For prevention, plant only healthy cloves and improve airflow so leaves dry quickly after rain or watering.

How often should I water Allium sativum during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active leaf and bulb growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week depending on rainfall and your soil’s drainage. Water deeply, then let the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of soil dry slightly before the next watering to prevent bulb diseases. Once the lower leaves start yellowing near maturity, reduce watering to avoid splitting and to help curing.

How can I tell when Allium sativum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when 40–60% of the leaves have turned brown and dried, while the rest still look green. Lift a bulb carefully and check that the papery skins are fully formed and tightly wrapped around the cloves. If the skins are still thin or the cloves separate easily, wait a bit longer; if most leaves are brown, don’t delay harvest.