Expert: Long Island Gardener - 11/14/2007

Question
Can garlic and tulips grow well together?

thank you,

Answer
It's almost moot to contemplate the marriage of Tulips and plants like Garlic in the Allium Genus, because Tulips are disappointingly short-lived as a rule no matter what you do for them.

That said, I grow Alliums (which require similar culture to your kitchen Garlic) in a border flanked by waves of Tulips.  The only hard part with this setup is that when it comes time to replace and replant the Tulips (every 2 years), it's hard to tell if we're lifting spent and sputtered Tulip Bulbs or active, healthy Alliums.  More than a few have been speared with a shovel.  To the extent you do the same thing, the answer is, No, Garlic and Tulips don't grow well together.  To the extent you'll grow Garlic for a foodstuff, it is probably no different from any other companion plant I can think of.

Research is ongoing and sophisticated, but right now, there is very little FACT about partnerships between growing Garlic and Tulips.  That's a fact.  You will however see a lot of advice telling people Garlic is a great insecticide, it kills germs, it protects plants -- and Garlic oil is an effective insecticide and repellent.  But the vast majority of insects and microbes are BENEFICIAL -- bugs you WANT.

Bottom line:  Try it.  I did.  It doesn't help.