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How to Grow Garlic

How to Choose Your Garlic Bulbs for Planting

Garlic reproduces through vegetative reproduction.  This means that unlike most vegetable plants that are grown by seed, the garlic plant is grown through a portion of the bulb called a clove.   The type of garlic will determine its hardiness so though you can purchase garlic bulbs right in the produce section of your supermarket they may not be hardy to your area and as a result, may not perform well.  The best bet when choosing your garlic supplier is to purchase either a plant or bulbs from a local nursery or from a seed catalog that specifies its hardiness rating.

When to Plant Garlic

Like many bulb plants, garlic performs well when planted in the fall.  Garlic requires at least two months of temperatures below 40°F to induce bulbing.  They should be planted early enough to encourage good root growth but early enough that the plant sprouts.  You can plant garlic in the spring, just ensure that you plant early enough in the season that it will enjoy many cool, short days.

How to Plant Garlic

Garlic prefers a crumbly, fertile soil, high in organic matter with a pH range of 6.2-7.0.  Plant the garlic 3" deep with the root end facing down.  To allow for plenty of air circulation and ease in harvesting, space the plants 6"-8" apart.

Garlic Care Following Planting

Garlic is not competitive so the soil must be kept fertile and the weeds to a minimum.  Fertilize with a side dressing of 3 pounds of nitrogen per 10 acres when the plant is about 6" high.  Keep the soil moist to encourage good growth.