Below is a practical guide to the best garlic planting schedules in major regions of China, organized by climate zones, temperature conditions, and variety differences.
1. Overview of the main planting seasons of garlic in China
| Region | Optimal Planting Time | Notes |
| North China Region | Mid-September – Mid-October | Main garlic production area with large temperature differences, suitable for bulb formation. |
| Northwest Region | Early September – Early October | Cold winters — pay attention to frost prevention. |
| Central China Region | Early September – Early October | Mild winters, fast seedling growth, easy management. |
| Northeast Region | Early April – Early May | Mainly spring-sown garlic; use plastic film to warm the soil. |
| Southwest Region | Mid-October – Early November | Warm winters, planting can be slightly delayed. |
| South China Region | Early November – Early December | Use early-maturing varieties to prevent bolting under high temperatures. |
2. Detailed description of some representative production areas
| Region | Planting Time | Variety & Key Notes |
| Jinxiang, Shandong | Late September – Early October | Choose high-quality varieties such as “Jinxiang White Garlic”. The soil should drain well and be slightly elevated. Early sowing may cause premature bolting. |
| Qixian, Henan | Mid-September – Early October | Suitable for autumn-planted “Qixian Garlic”. Cover with about 3 cm of soil after sowing to protect from early frost. |
| Pizhou, Jiangsu | Late September – Mid-October | Slightly earlier planting promotes root development and better bulb differentiation. |
| Weinan, Shaanxi | Early – Late September | Mainly overwintering garlic. When temperatures drop rapidly, cover with film to prevent freezing. |
| Wenshan, Yunnan | Late October – Early November | High altitude and large temperature differences help bulb enlargement. |
| Yulin, Guangxi | Early November | In warmer conditions, sowing can be postponed to December to avoid premature bolting. |
| Jiamusi, Heilongjiang | Mid-April | Spring garlic planting; pre-sprout cloves and use film mulching to increase soil temperature. |
3. General Seeding Principles
Soil Temperature: The ideal soil temperature during sowing should be maintained between 10 and 20°C.
Avoid planting too early or too late:
Too early: Seedlings emerge vigorously but tend to bolt early, resulting in small bulbs.
Too late: Roots are weak, overwintering resistance is poor, and yield is low.
Soil cover thickness: 2.5 to 3.5 cm is ideal, with slightly thicker soil thickness permitted in southern China.
Pre-sowing treatment: Select healthy, disease-free garlic cloves and soak the seeds in warm water or a bio-inoculation agent to prevent disease.
