How to Grow Garlic

Garlic is extremely easy to grow, but timing is important. Since garlic needs a cold period to form a bulb, you’ll need to live in an area with a cold winter. Gardeners in zone 7 – 9 will need to choose a variety that’s suited for warm weather, such as Asiatic, Creoles, Hard Neck or Purple Stripe.

Lets start with the bulb. You can purchase one from the grocery store, or go with a fancy variety from your local farmers market. Keep the bulb whole and store in a cool, dry well ventilated area until its time to plant. If your garlic sprouts in the meantime, it shouldnt make a difference.

Next, lets talk about your soil. Start with rich, organic well draining soil. Garlic is a heavy feeder, it will need the nutrition organic soil provides. Mix compost into your soil before planting to give it that extra kick it needs.

How about timing? Since they like that cold period, plant garlic in October, a few weeks before your first frost. This will give the roots time to grab hold of the soil, so the bulbs do not heave out of the ground from the winter freeze/thaw cycle. Mulch heavily with straw to protect the bulbs if you’re in an area with very cold winters. You should see it beginning to sprout in early spring. If the winter does happen to damage the bulbs and you dont see sprouts, theres still time. You can also start in very early spring. Since its had less time to establish you might not get cloves as large as winter sown garlic, but you should at least get a harvest. Speaking of harvest, you can pull up your cloves in July, or when the tops of the plants have dried and turned brown.

How to plant garlic. When its time to plant, break the bulb into cloves. Poke a hole in the dirt with your finger and plant each clove about 1 inch deep, separated 6 inches apart. Drop the clove into the hole in an upright position and cover with dirt. Many people have grown garlic in 6″ raised beds with much success. Others have even grown them in containers with similar success as long as the pot is large enough and drains well. Garlic is a bulb, meaning its prone to rot if it stays too wet. Best results have been found in the ground, where it has room to grow.

How to store garlic. Bulbs are best stored in a cool, dry place at about 72 degrees F or above. Make sure you have good air circulation. If you grow only a few you can hang them to dry in a breathable bag.

Fun fact. You can also eat the sprouts, like chives! If your garlic sprouts in the fall, grab some and try it on your salad!

How to Grow Garlic