Growing Garlic

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Garlic is a bulb plant within the onion family. It grows by reproducing new bulbs each year. Planting garlic is simple. Growing garlic is great not only to use in cooking but it often repels pests trying to invade the garden. Grow garlic with tomatoes and onions for a salsa garden or plant in between carrots to confuse the carrot rust fly. Anywhere with plenty of sun is a great place for garlic.

There are two main types of garlic. Soft neck and hard neck. Soft neck garlic is usually grown in warmer climates. It has a mild flavor with strong flexible leaves to braid during storage. They last between 6-12 months in a cool dark place.

Hard neck garlic is grown in cooler climates. It has a strong flavor with large easy to peel cloves. It produces a large middle stalk while growing. This stalk produces a flower that will make seeds. The stalk is called a scape. For a big garlic bulb, make sure to cut off the scape before it flowers. That will put more energy into growing the bulb. Hard neck garlic lasts between 4-8 months in a cool dark place. I will mostly use this type in zone 5.

When to plant garlic depends on a few factors. I have had luck planting garlic in both fall and spring. If you have a very wet and soggy winter, sometimes garlic bulbs will rot. I often find garlic growing in the spring from left over garlic plants left behind over winter.

I intentionally plant garlic cloves in the middle of March. Since I have garlic in storage, sometimes the garlic decides it wants to grow in January/ February. I notice leaves staring to grow from the bulb so I put the sprouted bulbs into a plastic sack, tie it closed and place it in the fridge to stratify. In a few weeks, I use those garlic cloves to plant in March. Hard neck garlic likes being cold for a few weeks before it really grows big.

For fall planting, aim for early to middle of October. Garlic needs time to grow roots and leaves before a hard frost. Garlic does not like to be transplanted all over once the roots are established.

I plant garlic in full sun or 12 plus hours of direct sunlight. The soil needs to be loose and well draining. I have a place that is south facing with sandy loose soil. However, garlic will grow in most places and is tolerant to less than ideal conditions as long as it isn't soggy soil.

Garlic is a great pest control plant. Plant it next to anything to deter rabbits, voles, and mice. Next to carrots, cabbages or lettuce to confuse insects. One of the best companion plants in my opinion.

Garlic can grow from seed or bulb. If you have garlic seeds, they need to be started in January/ February under a grow light indoors here in zone 5. The seeds are started like onion seeds.

Most people grow garlic by planting garlic cloves. Garlic cloves are the individual pieces that separate from the garlic bulb.

Before planting garlic, I make trench or slightly dig up about 6 inches of the top soil. I will use bone meal powder and sprinkle it within the trench or general area I am planting. Mix the bone meal well into the soil. I find bone meal is a great way to promote bulb health and growth.

To plant garlic cloves, start by making a hole 2-3 inches deep. Plant one clove with the flat side down and the pointed side facing up. Cover the clove with soil. Plants will need to be 4 inches apart in all directions.

Water in cloves well. Wait until soil is dry 2-3 inches down before watering again. Garlic needs plenty of water during the growing stage.

If the soil is not full of organic matter or pretreated with bone meal, try using compost or fish emulsion fertilizer once the green tops are 3-4 inches out of the ground.

Keep garlic plants weed free for bigger bulbs.

Water garlic until the bottom two leaves turn brown.

Garlic will grow all spring and into summer. As the garlic grows, the leaves will start to turn brown. Then the leaves will topple over when garlic bulbs are ready to harvest. Aim to harvest garlic before a rainy season. Wet bulbs equal damaged bulbs.

I use a shovel or pitch fork to dig under the garlic when harvesting. The leaves are usually too brittle and weak to pull up big bulbs of garlic. Carefully dig up the garlic and hand pick out the bulbs.

I will lay out the garlic in a single layer to dry or cure in the garage or basement. Allow for 1-2 weeks of cure time. Do not wash or get garlic wet. There are many layers to protect the garlic cloves and dirt should not be a problem, even in storage.

Store garlic in a cool dark place. My garlic usually looses the leaves during curing, so I place mine in egg cartons in my pantry for winter storage. If you have a garlic with flexible but strong leaves, they can be braided and hung up.