Garlic Growing Guide

Homegrown garlic is a revelation—the flavor is incomparably better than store-bought, and it's one of the easiest crops to grow. Plant in fall, harvest in summer, and enjoy garlic all year long.

Types of Garlic

Hardneck Garlic

• Produces edible scapes (flower stalks)
• Larger, easier-to-peel cloves
• Complex, robust flavor
• Stores 4-6 months
• Better for cold climates
• Varieties: Rocambole, Porcelain, Purple Stripe

Softneck Garlic

• No scape (flower stalk)
• More cloves per bulb (10-20)
• Milder flavor
• Stores 9-12 months
• Better for mild climates, can braid
• Varieties: Artichoke, Silverskin

When to Plant

Fall planting is key for best bulb development:

• Northern zones (1-5): September - October
• Central zones (6-7): October - November
• Southern zones (8-10): November - December

Plant 4-6 weeks before hard frost so roots establish before winter.

Planting

Soil Preparation

• Well-drained soil is critical
• Work in compost before planting
• pH 6.0-7.0 ideal
• Avoid fresh manure

Planting Steps

1. Break bulbs into individual cloves (keep wrapper intact)
2. Plant cloves 2" deep, pointed end UP
3. Space 6" apart in rows 12" apart
4. Mulch with 4-6" of straw after planting
5. Water if soil is dry

Growing Care

Spring Care

• Pull back mulch slightly when shoots emerge
• Apply nitrogen fertilizer (blood meal, fish emulsion)
• Water 1" per week if dry
• Keep weed-free

Harvesting Scapes

Hardneck garlic sends up a curly flower stalk (scape) in late spring:

• Harvest when they make one full curl
• Snap off at base
• Removing scapes directs energy to bulb (bigger garlic!)
• Scapes are delicious—use like mild garlic

Harvesting Garlic

When to Harvest

• Stop watering 2 weeks before harvest
• Harvest when bottom 3-4 leaves are brown, top leaves still green
• Usually late June to July (varies by location)
• Don't wait too long—bulbs can split

How to Harvest

1. Loosen soil with fork (don't pull by stem)
2. Lift bulbs carefully
3. Shake off loose soil
4. Leave stems attached
5. Don't wash—keep dry

Curing for Storage

Curing Process

• Hang or spread in warm, dry, well-ventilated area
• Keep out of direct sunlight
• Cure 3-4 weeks until wrappers papery
• Stems dry and stiff

Storage

• Trim roots and stems (leave 1" if not braiding)
• Store in mesh bags or baskets
• Cool (50-60°F), dry, dark location
• Good airflow essential
• Don't refrigerate whole bulbs

Save Your Best

Save your largest, healthiest bulbs for planting next fall. Over years, you'll develop garlic perfectly adapted to your garden conditions!