How To Grow Garlic In The Garden

Imagine biting into a juicy, flavorful dish, the star of which is homegrown garlic. The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water, and the taste? Unbeatable. Growing your own garlic is easier than you might think, and the reward is a pantry stocked with fresh, potent bulbs you can use in countless recipes. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully grow garlic in your garden.

Quick Answer: Plant garlic cloves in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Water regularly, and harvest in the summer when the leaves start to turn yellow.

Why Grow Your Own Garlic?

Store-bought garlic is fine, but homegrown garlic offers a whole new level of flavor and freshness. Plus, you have complete control over how it’s grown, ensuring it’s free of harmful pesticides and chemicals. It’s also a very satisfying experience to grow your own food!

Types of Garlic: Choosing the Right One

There are two main types of garlic: hardneck and softneck. Knowing the difference will help you choose the right variety for your climate and cooking needs.

Hardneck Garlic

Hardneck garlic is known for its robust flavor and hardiness. It produces a flower stalk called a scape, which you can harvest and eat. Hardneck varieties are better suited for colder climates.

• Flavor: Stronger, more complex, and often spicier.
• Storage: Doesn’t store as well as softneck garlic, typically lasting 4-6 months.
• Climate: Best suited for colder climates with harsh winters.
• Scape Production: Produces a scape, which is a curly flower stalk that can be harvested and eaten.
• Examples: ‘German Extra Hardy,’ ‘Music,’ ‘Chesnok Red.’

Softneck Garlic

Softneck garlic is milder in flavor and easier to braid. It doesn’t produce a scape and is better suited for warmer climates. It is what you commonly see in the store.

• Flavor: Milder, more subtle.
• Storage: Stores exceptionally well, often lasting 6-12 months.
• Climate: Thrives in warmer climates with mild winters.
• Scape Production: Generally does not produce a scape.
• Examples: ‘California Early,’ ‘Silverskin,’ ‘Inchelium Red.’

Which Type Should You Choose?

Consider your climate first. If you live in a cold area, hardneck garlic is the better choice. If you have mild winters, softneck garlic will likely be more successful. Think about what flavors you like as well. Also, think about what you want to do with the garlic. If you want to braid it, you need softneck garlic.

Preparing Your Garden for Garlic

Garlic needs a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Good preparation is key to a successful harvest.

Choosing the Right Location

Garlic needs at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Pick a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sun. Also make sure that area does not have standing water after it rains.

Soil Preparation

Garlic prefers well-drained, fertile soil.

• Test Your Soil: A soil test can tell you the pH level and nutrient content of your soil. Garlic prefers a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You can buy a soil test kit at most garden centers.
• Amend the Soil: Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility. Add about 2-3 inches of compost and mix it in well.
• Avoid Wet Soil: Garlic doesn’t like wet feet. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent rot. If your soil is heavy clay, consider planting in raised beds.

Planting Garlic: A Step-by-Step Guide

Planting garlic is best done in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. This gives the garlic time to establish roots before winter.

When to Plant

• Fall Planting: The best time to plant garlic is in the fall. This allows the cloves to develop roots before the cold weather sets in.
• Climate Considerations: In colder climates, plant in late September or early October. In milder climates, you can plant in late October or November.

How to Plant Garlic

1. Separate the Cloves: Gently separate the cloves from the bulb just before planting. Don’t peel them. Select the largest, healthiest cloves for planting. Smaller cloves will still grow, but they will produce smaller bulbs.
2. Planting Depth: Plant the cloves about 2 inches deep (for softneck) and 4 inches deep (for hardneck), pointed end up. Deeper planting is important in colder climates to protect the cloves from freezing temperatures.
3. Spacing: Space the cloves about 6-8 inches apart in rows that are 10-12 inches apart. This gives the garlic enough room to grow.
4. Cover and Water: Cover the cloves with soil and water gently. Add a layer of mulch, such as straw or leaves, to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Mulching Your Garlic

Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the garlic from extreme temperatures.

• Types of Mulch: Straw, shredded leaves, and wood chips are all good choices for mulch.
• How to Apply: Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the garlic plants after planting.
• Benefits of Mulching: Helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the garlic from cold weather.

Caring for Your Garlic Plants

Once your garlic is planted, it needs regular care to thrive.

Watering

Garlic needs consistent moisture, especially in the spring when it’s actively growing.

• Watering Schedule: Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to rot.
• Watering Methods: Soaker hoses or drip irrigation are ideal for watering garlic, as they deliver water directly to the roots.

Fertilizing

Garlic is a heavy feeder and benefits from regular fertilization.

• When to Fertilize: Fertilize in the spring when the plants start to grow actively.
• Types of Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) or an organic fertilizer like compost tea or fish emulsion.
• How to Apply: Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package. Avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves, as this can cause burns.

Removing Scapes

Hardneck garlic produces scapes, which are curly flower stalks. Removing the scapes encourages the plant to put more energy into bulb development.

• When to Remove: Remove the scapes when they start to curl.
• How to Remove: Cut the scape off close to the stem of the plant.
• Eating Scapes: Scapes are edible and have a mild garlic flavor. You can use them in pesto, stir-fries, or salads.

Weed Control

Weeds compete with garlic for nutrients and water.

• Mulching: Mulch helps suppress weeds.
• Hand-Pulling: Regularly pull any weeds that emerge. Be careful not to damage the garlic plants when weeding.

Harvesting Garlic: When and How

Knowing when to harvest is crucial for getting the best flavor and storage life.

When to Harvest

• Signs of Readiness: Harvest when the bottom leaves start to turn yellow and brown, but the top leaves are still green.
• Timing: This usually occurs in mid-summer (June or July, depending on your climate).
• Checking the Bulbs: You can dig up a test bulb to check its size and maturity.

How to Harvest

1. Loosen the Soil: Loosen the soil around the garlic plants with a garden fork or shovel. Be careful not to damage the bulbs.
2. Lift the Bulbs: Gently lift the bulbs from the soil, being careful not to bruise them.
3. Brush Off Excess Soil: Brush off any excess soil from the bulbs.

Curing Garlic

Curing is essential for long-term storage.

• Why Cure: Curing allows the outer layers of the garlic to dry and harden, which protects the bulbs from rot.
• How to Cure: Tie the garlic plants in bundles of 4-6 and hang them in a dry, well-ventilated place for 2-4 weeks.
• Signs of Curing: The necks of the bulbs should be dry and tight, and the outer layers should be papery.

Storing Garlic

Proper storage is key to preserving your garlic harvest.

• Storage Conditions: Store cured garlic in a cool, dry, and dark place.
• Best Storage Methods: Braiding softneck garlic and hanging it is a good storage method. You can also store garlic in mesh bags or baskets.
• Avoid Refrigeration: Don’t store garlic in the refrigerator, as this can cause it to sprout.

Common Problems and Solutions

Garlic is generally easy to grow, but you may encounter some problems.

Pests

• Nematodes: Microscopic worms that can damage garlic roots. Use certified disease-free seed garlic.
• Onion Thrips: Tiny insects that suck plant sap. Control with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Garlic Mites: Tiny mites that can cause damage to bulbs during storage. Keep storage areas clean and dry.

Diseases

• White Rot: A fungal disease that can cause the plants to rot. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering.
• Downy Mildew: A fungal disease that causes yellow spots on the leaves. Improve air circulation and use a fungicide if necessary.
• Fusarium Basal Rot: A fungal disease that causes the roots and bulb to rot. Use certified disease-free seed garlic and avoid planting in infected soil.

Other Problems

• Lack of Growth: This can be caused by poor soil, lack of sunlight, or insufficient watering. Amend the soil, ensure the plants get enough sunlight, and water regularly.
• Small Bulbs: This can be caused by planting small cloves, not fertilizing enough, or harvesting too early. Plant large cloves, fertilize regularly, and harvest at the right time.

Saving Garlic for Next Year

You can save your own garlic cloves to plant the following year.

Selecting Cloves

Choose the largest, healthiest cloves from your best bulbs.

Storing Cloves

Store the cloves in a cool, dry place until planting time.

Replanting

Plant the cloves in the fall, following the same steps as before.

FAQ About Growing Garlic

Here are some frequently asked questions about growing garlic:

1. Can I grow garlic in containers?

Yes, you can grow garlic in containers. Use a large container (at least 12 inches in diameter) with well-draining soil. Make sure the container gets plenty of sunlight.

2. How often should I water my garlic plants?

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to rot.

3. What is the best fertilizer for garlic?

Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) or an organic fertilizer like compost tea or fish emulsion.

4. Can I eat garlic scapes?

Yes, scapes are edible and have a mild garlic flavor. You can use them in pesto, stir-fries, or salads.

5. Why are my garlic bulbs small?

Small bulbs can be caused by planting small cloves, not fertilizing enough, or harvesting too early.

6. How long does garlic take to grow?

Garlic takes about 8-9 months to grow, from planting in the fall to harvesting in the summer.

Conclusion

Growing garlic is a rewarding experience that provides you with fresh, flavorful bulbs you can use in countless dishes. By following these tips, you can enjoy a bountiful garlic harvest year after year. So, get planting and savor the taste of homegrown garlic!