Planting and harvesting garlic is a rewarding process that starts in the fall and finishes the following summer. By choosing the right bulbs and giving them proper care, you can enjoy a bountiful crop. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to plant and harvest garlic successfully.
How to Plant and Harvest Garlic A Step by Step Guide
Key Takeaways
- Choose the right variety: Hardneck garlic is best for cold climates, while softneck thrives in warmer areas.
- Plant in the fall: Garlic needs a cold period to develop properly, so plant before the first hard frost.
- Prepare your soil: Use rich, well-draining soil and add compost to give your cloves a great start.
- Cut the scapes: Remove curly flower stalks from hardneck garlic to direct energy into the bulb.
- Watch the leaves: Harvest garlic when the lower leaves turn brown but a few green leaves remain.
- Cure before storing: Let garlic dry in a shady, airy spot for two to three weeks to ensure long-term storage.
📑 Table of Contents
Introduction
There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh garlic from your own garden. It is bold, flavorful, and so much better than what you find in stores. But maybe you are wondering how to plant and harvest garlic? Do not worry! It is actually one of the easiest crops you can grow.
Garlic does not take up much space. It does not need constant attention. And it spends most of its life quietly growing while you wait. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener, learning how to plant and harvest garlic will give you a massive reward for very little work. Let us dig in and discover how to plant and harvest garlic step by step!
Choosing the Right Garlic Varieties
Hardneck vs. Softneck
Before you start, you need to pick a type. There are two main kinds of garlic. Hardneck garlic produces a hard stem in the center. It has fewer but larger cloves. It also gives you garlic scapes, which are tasty bonus crops. Softneck garlic has a flexible stem. It has more cloves per bulb. It stores for a longer time. If you live in a cold climate, hardneck is your best bet. If you live somewhere warm, softneck will do great.
Where to Buy
Never use grocery store garlic for planting. It is often treated to stop sprouting. Instead, buy seed garlic from a local nursery or a trusted online source. This ensures your plants will be healthy and disease-free.
When to Plant Garlic
The Fall Advantage
Timing is everything when learning how to plant and harvest garlic. Most gardeners plant garlic in the fall. You want to put the cloves in the ground about four to six weeks before the first hard frost. This gives them time to grow roots but not sprout above the soil. If you want more details on timing, check out our guide on when to plant garlic.
Climate Considerations
If you live in a very warm area, you might need to chill your garlic in the fridge for a few weeks before planting. This tricks it into thinking winter has passed. You can also plant garlic in the early spring, but fall planting always yields bigger bulbs.
How to Plant Garlic Step by Step
Preparing the Soil
Garlic loves rich, loose soil. It needs good drainage so the bulbs do not rot. Mix in some compost or aged manure before planting. Just like when you plant onions, garlic thrives in soil that is full of organic matter. Aim for a sunny spot in your garden.
Preparing the Cloves
Take your garlic bulb and break it apart into individual cloves. Keep the papery skin on the cloves. Choose the biggest cloves to plant. Small cloves yield small bulbs. Remember, each clove will grow into a whole new bulb!
Planting the Cloves
Now for the fun part. Push each clove into the soil about two inches deep. Make sure the pointy end faces up! The flat root end goes down. Space your cloves about four to six inches apart. Rows should be about a foot apart. If you want a more detailed breakdown, our article on how to plant garlic has great visuals.
Caring for Your Garlic Plants
Watering Needs
Garlic does not like wet feet. Water it deeply but infrequently. About an inch of water per week is perfect. Stop watering a couple of weeks before you plan to harvest. This helps the bulbs cure in the ground.
Fertilizing
Feed your garlic in the early spring. Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to help the leaves grow. Once the bulbs start forming, switch to a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium.
Cutting the Scapes
If you planted hardneck garlic, you will see curly green shoots called scapes in late spring. You must cut these off! If you let them grow, the plant puts energy into the flower instead of the bulb. Cutting scapes gives you bigger garlic. Plus, scapes are delicious to eat. You can learn more about this in our guide about the garlic plant flower.
How to Harvest Garlic
Signs of Readiness
Knowing when to harvest is the trickiest part. If you pull too early, the bulbs will be tiny. If you wait too long, the bulbs can split open in the soil. The best clue is the leaves. When about half of the lower leaves have turned brown, but there are still a few green leaves at the top, it is time to harvest.
The Harvesting Technique
Do not just pull the stalks! The stem will break, and the bulb will stay in the ground. Instead, use a garden fork to loosen the soil under the bulb. Gently lift the garlic out of the ground. Shake off the loose dirt, but do not wash it. Wet garlic will rot.
Curing and Storing Your Garlic
The Curing Process
You cannot eat garlic right away. It needs to cure. Curing dries out the outer layers and concentrates the flavor. Lay your garlic out in a single layer in a dry, shady spot with good airflow. A porch or a garage works well. Let it sit for about two to three weeks. The wrappers will feel papery, and the roots will be dry when it is done.
Storage Tips
Once cured, trim the roots and cut the stalks down to about an inch. You can also braid softneck garlic stems together. Store your garlic in a cool, dry place. Never put it in the fridge. Properly cured garlic can last for six months or more!
Conclusion
Learning how to plant and harvest garlic is a game changer for any gardener. It takes a little patience, but the payoff is huge. You get fresh, organic garlic right from your backyard. Plus, you get the bonus of tasty scapes in the spring. Pick your variety, plant in the fall, care for your crop, and harvest when the leaves turn brown. You will be a garlic-growing pro in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant garlic from the grocery store?
It is not recommended. Store-bought garlic is often treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting. It may also carry diseases that can harm your soil. Always buy certified seed garlic from a garden center or reputable online seller.
How long does garlic take to grow?
Garlic is a slow-growing crop. If you plant it in the fall, it will be ready to harvest the following summer. This means it takes about eight to nine months from planting to harvest.
Should I let my garlic flower?
No, you should cut the flower stalks, called scapes, off hardneck garlic varieties. If you let the plant flower, it uses energy to make the flower instead of growing a big bulb. Cutting the scapes gives you a larger garlic harvest.
Can I grow garlic in pots?
Yes, you can grow garlic in pots! Choose a container that is at least 8 inches deep with drainage holes. Use high-quality potting soil and make sure the pot gets plenty of sunlight. Water it regularly, as pots dry out faster than garden soil.
What is the best mulch for garlic?
Straw is the best mulch for garlic. After you plant your cloves, cover the bed with about four inches of straw. This keeps the soil moist, stops weeds from growing, and protects the cloves from freezing winter temperatures.
Why are my garlic bulbs so small?
Small bulbs usually mean the plant did not get enough nutrients or water. It could also mean you planted the cloves too close together. Make sure to plant large cloves, give them plenty of space, and fertilize them in the spring for the best results.