Planting Garlic Bulbs

Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow in your garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, planting garlic in the fall sets you up for a flavourful harvest next summer. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Choosing Your Garlic Type

Before planting, decide which type of garlic suits your climate and needs:

• Softneck Garlic: Ideal for warmer regions, this variety has a flexible stem perfect for braiding and tends to store longer.
• Hardneck Garlic: Best for colder climates, it produces edible flower stalks called scapes in spring. Removing the scapes helps the plant focus on growing larger bulbs.

When to Plant Garlic

Garlic is typically planted in the fall, from mid-October until the ground freezes. This gives the cloves time to establish roots before winter sets in.

How to Plant Garlic

1. Pick the Right Spot
   Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Garlic needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and doesn’t like soggy conditions.
2. Prepare the Soil
   Loosen the soil and dig holes about 2–6 inches deep. Go deeper in colder climates and shallower in warmer ones.
3. Separate the Cloves
   Break apart the garlic bulb just before planting. Keep the papery skin on each clove intact, even if some flakes off.
4. Plant the Cloves
   Place each clove in the hole with the pointy end facing up and the flat root end down. Space them 4–8 inches apart.
5. Cover and Water
   Fill the holes with soil, gently tamp it down, and add a light layer of mulch. Water thoroughly to help the roots settle in.

Spring Garlic Care

• Fertilize: When green shoots appear in spring, apply a balanced fertilizer.
• Water: Keep the soil moist during dry spells.
• Weed: Remove weeds regularly to prevent competition for nutrients.

Harvesting Garlic

Garlic is ready to harvest in late spring to early summer. Here’s how to know when it’s time:

• Hardneck Garlic: Watch for curly scapes in late spring. Snip them off to encourage bulb growth. Bonus: scapes are delicious sautéed!
• All Varieties: When about half the leaves turn yellow and flop over, it’s harvest time. Use a garden fork to gently lift the bulbs from the soil.

Let the bulbs cure in a dry, shaded spot for a couple of weeks. Once dry, trim the stems or braid softneck varieties for storage.

Storing Garlic

Store garlic in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. Mesh bags, baskets, or hanging braids work well. Properly cured garlic can last 4–6 months. Use any damaged bulbs first, as they won’t store as long.

Ready to grow your own garlic? With just a little effort this fall, you’ll be rewarded with a flavorful harvest next year. Happy planting!