Garlic is a versatile and rewarding plant for gardeners, known for its distinct varieties like hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic thrives in colder climates, producing flavorful scapes, while softneck garlic is better suited for warmer regions and offers longer storage. Despite its long growing season, garlic is relatively easy to care for with proper soil and sunlight.
- Common Names: Camphor of the Poor, Clove of Garlic, Stinking Rose
- Scientific Name: Allium sativum
- Plant Type: Perennial flowering plant
- Plant Height: Up to 3 feet
- Growing Difficulty: Easy to cultivate
- Growing Time: Year-round in mild climates
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Temperature: Requires a cold period to grow
- Hardiness Zone: 4–9 (Find your hardiness zone here)
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Watering Frequency: Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Plant Spacing: Plant cloves 4 to 8 inches apart
Different Methods to Grow Garlic
Planting Garlic from a Clove
This method involves planting individual cloves from a garlic bulb directly into the soil. Each clove will grow into a new bulb.
- Pros: Simple and cost-effective.
- Cons: Grocery store garlic may be treated and unsuitable for planting.
Using Seed Garlic
Seed garlic is sourced from nurseries or markets, ensuring better quality and disease resistance. It is planted similarly to cloves.
- Pros: Ensures better quality and larger bulbs.
- Cons: More expensive than using grocery store garlic.
Growing Garlic in Containers
This method involves planting garlic cloves in large pots with good drainage and high-quality potting mix, ideal for small spaces.
- Pros: Can grow hard-to-find varieties and indoors.
- Cons: Requires regular watering and a large pot.
Ideal Soil and Location Requirements
Garlic thrives in loose, fertile, well-drained soil with high organic content. It requires full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Raised beds or containers with good drainage are ideal to prevent waterlogging and ensure healthy growth.
When to Plant Garlic
Garlic is best planted in late fall, about one to two weeks after the first hard frost, allowing the cloves to establish roots before the ground freezes. In milder climates, planting can extend into early winter. This timing ensures robust growth when spring arrives.
Growing Garlic Outdoors
Planting garlic in raised beds with good drainage and mulching with about 6 inches of old hay after the ground freezes is the best method for growing garlic outdoors. This method ensures good drainage, preventing garlic from sitting in wet soil, and reduces the need for watering, providing low-maintenance care.
- Select a planting site. Choose a location with full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Prepare the soil. Enrich the soil with compost or aged manure to ensure it is loose, fertile, and well-drained.
- Plant the cloves. Separate the cloves from the garlic bulb, keeping the papery skin intact. Plant each clove 4 to 8 inches apart and 2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up.
- Mulch heavily. Cover the planted area with about 6 inches of straw or leaves to protect the cloves during winter and retain soil moisture.
- Remove mulch in spring. Once the threat of frost has passed, carefully remove the mulch to allow the garlic to grow freely.
- Cut off flower shoots. In spring, remove any flower shoots (scapes) that appear to direct the plant's energy into bulb formation.
- Fertilize. Side-dress with fertilizer in early spring and again before the bulbs start to swell to provide essential nutrients.
- Keep the site well-weeded. Regularly remove weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
- Water regularly. Water every 3 to 5 days during the bulbing phase, ensuring the soil remains moist but not soggy. If the weather is dry, irrigate to a depth of 2 feet every eight to 10 days.
Growing Garlic Indoors
Growing garlic indoors is possible and can be done successfully with the right approach. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you grow garlic indoors.
- Choose a large container. Select a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and has good drainage holes.
- Fill with potting mix. Use high-quality potting mix, leaving about 3 inches from the top. Mix in a slow-release fertilizer if needed.
- Prepare the garlic cloves. Separate the cloves from the garlic head, keeping the papery outer wrappings intact.
- Plant the cloves. Place the cloves pointy end up in the soil, at least 3 inches apart.
- Cover the cloves. Cover the cloves with soil, using 1 inch in warm climates and 2 inches in colder areas. Pat the soil gently.
- Position the container. Place the pot in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water regularly. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Fertilize. Once the garlic sprouts in the spring, fertilize every few weeks to provide essential nutrients.
- Monitor growth. Check for any signs of pests or diseases and address them promptly to ensure healthy growth.
Old-time gardeners swear that garlic "learns" because it adapts to your growing conditions and improves each year.
Caring for Garlic
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water every 3 to 5 days during the bulbing phase, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist.
- Fertilizing: Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in early spring and again just before the bulbs start to swell. Use a 5-10-10 complete fertilizer, bonemeal, or fish meal to provide essential nutrients.
- Pest Management: Watch out for common pests like onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers, sticky traps, and crop rotation to manage these pests effectively. Destroy infected plants and disinfect tools to prevent the spread of diseases like white rot.
- Harvesting: Harvest garlic when the leaves begin to yellow and fall over, typically from late June to August. Carefully dig up the bulbs and let them cure in a shady, airy spot for about two weeks before storing them in a cool, dry place.
- General Care: Keep the planting site well-weeded to prevent competition for nutrients and water. Remove any flower shoots (scapes) that appear in spring to direct the plant's energy into bulb formation.
Common Challenges With Garlic
Garlic is a relatively easy plant to grow, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners. It thrives in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight and requires minimal maintenance once established. Whether you're planting in a garden bed or a container, garlic's resilience to various pests and diseases makes it a reliable crop. In my experience, as long as you follow the basic guidelines for planting and care, you'll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.
However, growing garlic does come with its challenges. Pests like onion maggots and thrips can be problematic, and diseases such as white rot and bulb rot can affect your crop if the soil is too wet. Timing is also crucial; planting too early or too late can result in smaller bulbs. Despite these challenges, with proper care and attention, garlic can be a rewarding and resilient addition to your garden.
Safety of Garlic for Pets
Garlic is toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested garlic, contact the ASPCA 24-hour hotline immediately for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you plant store-bought garlic?
Yes, you can plant store-bought garlic, but it may not always be successful. Store-bought garlic is often treated to prevent sprouting, which can hinder growth. For better results, use seed garlic from a nursery or farmer's market.
When is the best time to plant garlic?
The best time to plant garlic is in late fall, about one to two weeks after the first hard frost. This timing allows the cloves to establish roots before the ground freezes, ensuring robust growth in spring.
How do you harvest garlic scapes?
Garlic scapes should be harvested when they start to curl, usually in late spring or early summer. Cut them off at the base to encourage the plant to focus its energy on bulb development rather than flowering.
What are the ideal conditions for growing garlic in containers?
Garlic in containers requires a pot at least 12 inches deep with good drainage. Use high-quality potting mix and place the container in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
