Garlic (Allium sativum) is grown from individual cloves. The largest bulbs come from autumn planting: set cloves of winter garlic in late September or October, pointed end up, about 5 cm deep and 10–15 cm apart, so they root before the ground freezes. Spring-planted garlic, set in March, gives smaller but still useful bulbs. Choose a sunny spot with free-draining, humus-rich soil that has not been freshly manured; waterlogged soil rots the cloves. Use healthy seed garlic from a garden supplier rather than supermarket bulbs, which may carry viruses or be unsuited to the climate. Water in dry spells in spring, then reduce watering in June as the bulbs ripen. On hardneck types, snap off the curly flower stalks (scapes) in May and use them in the kitchen. Lift the bulbs in July when the lower leaves have yellowed, dry them in an airy, shaded place for two to three weeks and store cool and dry. Garlic grows well near carrots and roses but hinders peas and beans.