When to plant Wild Garlic?

Wild garlic thrives in shady, woodland conditions and is best planted as bulbs in September, October, or November, when the soil is still workable but temperatures have cooled. Choose a position in partial or full shade—beneath deciduous trees or along a north-facing border—where it will naturalise happily without becoming invasive in sunnier beds. The soil should be moisture-retentive loam or clay that doesn't dry out completely in summer; wild garlic dislikes dry, sandy ground. Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil to a spade's depth and working in garden compost or leaf mould to improve structure and moisture retention, especially if your soil is heavy clay. Plant bulbs pointed end upwards at a depth of about 5–8 cm, spacing them roughly 15 cm apart. If you're planting in drifts for a natural woodland effect, scatter the bulbs gently by hand and plant them where they fall, adjusting spacing slightly to avoid tight clusters. Water the bulbs in thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around them and encourage root development before winter. A light mulch of leaf mould or well-rotted compost will help retain moisture and mimic the forest-floor conditions wild garlic prefers. The bulbs will establish roots over autumn and winter, then send up fresh leaves in late winter or early spring. Once established, wild garlic self-seeds freely, so expect it to spread gradually into a handsome, edible ground cover. Avoid planting near delicate perennials, as it can become competitive once settled in.