Garlic should be planted with space that balances bulb size and overall yield. A common and reliable guideline is to plant individual cloves about 6 inches (15 cm) apart in the row, with rows spaced 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) apart. This spacing tends to produce larger bulbs while still allowing enough air circulation and ease of weeding. Key practical points

• For big bulbs: aim for 6 inches (15 cm) between cloves and 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) between rows.
• If space is tight or you’re prioritizing total harvest over bulb size, you can reduce to 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) between cloves, but expect smaller bulb size per plant.
• In raised beds or containers, keep the in-row spacing at 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) and adjust row spacing to fit the container dimensions.
• Depth: plant cloves about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) deep, with the pointed end up, and mulch to suppress weeds.

Considerations to tailor spacing

• Garlic type: hardneck and porcelain types often respond well to 6–8 inch spacing for large bulbs; some softneck varieties may tolerate slightly tighter spacing.
• Soil and fertility: richer, well-drained soil can support healthier bulbs at standard spacing; poorer soils may benefit from slightly wider spacing to reduce competition.
• Weeding and maintenance: wider spacing makes weeding easier and improves airflow, reducing disease risk.

If you’d like, share your growing conditions (climate, soil type, bed size, and whether you’re aiming for maximum bulb size or total yield), and the guidance can be fine-tuned.