How To Grow Garlic

Learning how to grow garlic is simple and can be done in your own backyard. With the right care, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful garlic that adds a special touch to your meals. Growing garlic is perfect for gardeners of all levels, and it doesn’t require much space or effort.

I grow garlic every year in my garden, and over time, I’ve picked up some great tips that have made a big difference in the quality of my harvest.

From choosing the right variety to knowing the best planting time, I’ve learned a lot along the way. The process is both fun and will help you get the best garlic from your own garden. There’s nothing like using homegrown garlic in a dish you’ve made yourself.

How To Grow Garlic

Here are the simple steps you need to follow to grow garlic successfully in your own garden.

1. Choose the Right Garlic Variety

Select a garlic variety that suits your climate. Hardneck garlic is best for colder climates, while softneck garlic thrives in milder conditions. You can find both types at garden centers or online. My favorite garlic to plant is Russian red garlic. I absolutely love the taste and it’s not too strong. Plus it gives me really big garlic heads.

2. Prepare the Soil

Garlic likes well-draining, loamy soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 4-6 inches and add organic compost to enrich it. This will give your garlic the nutrients it needs to grow strong.

3. Separate the Cloves

Break the garlic bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skins on the garlic. You don’t peel the garlic for planting. Choose the largest, healthiest cloves to plant, as they will produce the best bulbs.

4. Plant the Cloves

Plant each clove 2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up. Space them about 4-6 inches apart in rows, leaving 12 inches between rows. This gives the garlic room to grow.

5. Water and Mulch

After planting, water the garlic well, but avoid over-watering. Mulch with straw or leaves to help retain moisture and protect the garlic during colder months. This also helps keep weeds down and keeps the soil temperature consistent.

Faq’s about planting garlic

1. When do you plant garlic?

I like to plant my garlic in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the first frost. This lets the cloves to establish roots before the ground freezes, leading to stronger growth in the spring.

2. How deep should you plant garlic?

Plant garlic cloves about 2 inches deep, with the pointed end facing up. This depth helps protect the cloves from the cold and ensures good root development.

3. Can garlic be grown in containers?

Yes, garlic can be grown in containers as long as the container is deep enough (at least 8-12 inches) to allow for proper root development. Make sure it has good drainage to avoid waterlogging.

4. How much sunlight does garlic need?

Garlic thrives in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Choose a sunny spot in your garden or place containers where they’ll get plenty of light.

5. How do you know when garlic is ready to harvest?

Garlic is ready to harvest when the lower leaves turn yellow and begin to dry out, but the top few leaves are still green. This usually happens in mid-to-late summer, about 8-9 months after planting. I like to cut off the garlic scapes as soon as they are tall but still tender. You can use them for cooking or for making garlic scape pesto.

Tips for planting garlic

1. Choose High-Quality Garlic

Use seed garlic rather than grocery store garlic. Store-bought garlic may be treated with chemicals or not be suited for your climate. High-quality seed garlic ensures better growth and healthier bulbs.

2. Pre-Chill Softneck Varieties

If you’re planting softneck garlic in a cold climate, it’s helpful to chill the cloves in the fridge for a few weeks before planting. This mimics the cold conditions garlic needs to grow properly and can improve your harvest.

3. Give Garlic Room to Grow

Space your garlic cloves 4-6 inches apart in rows, with about 12 inches between rows. Garlic needs room to develop large bulbs, so proper spacing is key.

4. Mulch for Protection

After planting, mulch your garlic with straw, leaves, or grass clippings. Mulch helps retain moisture, keeps weeds down, and insulates the garlic from extreme winter temperatures, leading to a healthier crop.

5. Water Properly

Garlic doesn’t need a lot of water, but try to keep consistently watering, especially in the early stages of growth. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to rot. Water deeply, but allow the soil to dry slightly between watering.

6. Keep Weeds Under Control

Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds, so it’s important to keep the area weed-free. You can hand-pull weeds or use mulch to suppress them. Keeping the garlic patch clear of weeds helps the plants grow stronger and faster.

7. Fertilize Lightly

Garlic doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer, but adding organic compost to the soil before planting can give it a nutrient boost. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can encourage leaf growth at the expense of bulb formation. I also like to water my garden vegetables once a week with a good plant food.

Garlic varieties to try

1. Russian Garlic

Russian garlic is a popular hardneck variety known for its strong, robust flavor and large cloves. It grows well in colder climates and produces sturdy, flavorful bulbs. This variety is perfect for roasting, grilling, or using in dishes that need a bold garlic punch. My personal favorite that I grow every year.

2. Persian Star Garlic

Persian Star garlic is a unique hardneck variety that features large cloves with a mildly sweet and slightly spicy flavor. It has beautiful purple-striped skin and is known for its hardiness in colder climates. Persian Star garlic is perfect for roasting or using in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.

3. Purple Stripe Garlic

Purple Stripe garlic has a striking purple skin with a mild, yet sweet flavor. It’s a hardy variety that grows well in cooler climates. This garlic is often used for roasting and in dishes where a subtler flavor is desired.

4. Creole Garlic

Creole garlic is a unique variety known for its rich, spicy flavor and colorful skin, which can range from deep red to purple. It thrives in warm climates and is perfect for those who want garlic with a bit of heat and zing.

5. Silverskin Garlic

Silverskin garlic is a softneck variety with a strong, pungent flavor. It has white, papery skin and is known for its long shelf life, making it ideal for those looking to store garlic for several months. It’s great for making garlic braids and using in savory dishes.

6. Elephant Garlic

Elephant Garlic has large bulbs and a mild, sweet flavor. It’s perfect for people who want garlic that’s less pungent but still offers a garlic-like taste. It grows well in most climates and is great for roasting or adding to dishes that require a gentler garlic flavor.

Where to buy garlic bulbs

When looking to buy garlic bulbs, it’s important to choose reliable sources that offer high-quality, disease-free garlic suited to your growing zone.

Some of the best places to buy garlic bulbs include local farmers’ markets, where you can often find unique and locally grown varieties. Online retailers like Etsy also offer a wide range of garlic bulbs, allowing you to choose from different types and even specialty varieties.

1. Easy To Grow

This shop has garlic, onion sets and lots of flower and vegetable seeds.

2. Daylily Nursery

You will find garlic bulbs and lots of fruits and vegetable seeds that will keep you very busy planting and having fun in your garden.

3. Hosta King

A top selling Etsy shop for garlic and seeds. When I was browsing their shop I found some Red German garlic that looks amazing.

4. Vintage Organic Garden

A wonderful place to get garlic, heirloom tomato seeds and plants for the garden. Their Kisklyk is really popular so if it is in stock grab it before it goes if you want to give it a try.

5. Garden Outside The Box

This is one of the only shops I could find for Elephant garlic seed. They also have other types of seeds and also some beautiful garden ornaments.

Growing your own garlic is one of the most rewarding things you can do in the garden. With just a little effort, you’ll have fresh, flavorful cloves right at your fingertips. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to make garlic a yearly part of your planting routine and trust me, once you taste homegrown garlic, there’s no going back.