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October 27, 2019 in Garlic & Vinegar

The green thumbs guide to planting garlic!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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I’m not here to nag. Not gonna do it.
 
But it’s time to stop fussing over your Halloween costume because you have to plant that garlic! And quite honestly, the first person I should nag is probably myself. Or maybe Tom.
 
Because we are equally guilty of not quite getting our garlic in the ground yet. Where I live, the general rule of green thumb is to plant your garlic before Halloween for best results.
 
Of course you can grow garlic spring or fall. But the fall season is preferred for most of us.
 
The point is to plant….sooner rather than later for next year’s crop because growing garlic is easy.
 

So here are my top tips and trends for the garlic growing season. 

 Rule #1 – Avoid planting grocery store garlic

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You don’t want to just go to the local grocery store, buy a few bulbs of garlic and plant unless you are desperate. Why? Because most grocery store garlic has been sprayed with a growth inhibitor chemical.
 
This means it has been treated and won’t sprout. No sprouting means it’s not going to grow roots and will rot into the ground.
 
But if you must go the grocery store route, double check that the garlic you’ll be planting is 100% organic and has not been treated.
 
Seek out the organic produce section and don’t be fooled by the word “natural” which means almost nothing in the food business, certainly not that the garlic is free of all chemicals.
 
A much better option is to check out a farmer’s market or better still, a roadside stand. Ask the seller directly if it’s been sprayed.
 
I find most home gardeners don’t spray their garlic as the pests that attack it are so few making it unnecessary.
 

Quality is important when planting garlic so this is where I’d splurge at Trader Joe’s for organic garlic instead of settling for the Walmart spin.

Rule #2 – Bigger bulbs form bigger cloves for planting

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I always use my own organic garlic for planting. After I’ve harvested my crop from the season, I wash them, let them dry out and then start the sorting process.

 

I use two boxes to sort, one for the “bigger” bulbs and one for the “smallish” ones.

While watching PBS, I gently pull apart the the bulbs to seek out “the big ones” or those individual cloves that are larger in size.

Big tip: Twist off the outer skins and pull the bulb apart, trying not to break the basal plate of the cloves, as that makes them unusable for planting. (They may not sprout!)

Over the many years that I’ve planted garlic, I’ve noticed a trend.

Bigger bulbs created a greater number of bigger cloves. In the garlic world, bigger is better.

​They’re easier to work with. From the peeling back process to the chopping and mincing, it’s less effort for you.

The tinier cloves don’t seem worth the effort. I dislike fighting with a clove that is the size of a dime. I’d prefer quarter-sized cloves and bigger.

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One assumption that you don’t want to make is that big bulbs always produce huge cloves and small bulbs always produce tiny cloves.

 

In each bulb, you’ll typically find  a large range in size including several bigger cloves, a few medium sized cloves and a few more tiny cloves.

It’s just that overall, a bigger bulb will produce a few bigger cloves on average that are larger than the bigger cloves in the smaller bulb.

So a big bulb may yield 3-4 good sized cloves to plant and the smaller bulb may only yield 1-2.

​And those 3-4 cloves will likely be bigger than the 1-2 yielded from the smaller bulb.

However, depending on how many cloves you require for planting, you may find you need them all as I do.

One good size clove provides me with a bulb of 6-7 cloves when I go to harvest. Any more than that and I’ve done very well indeed!

Rule #3 – Sort your cloves

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After I’ve dissected all my bulbs into individual cloves, I begin the process of sorting the cloves.

 

Bigger cloves are for planting, smaller cloves are for the immediate gratification of eating.

I confess, I enjoy this process. It’s kind of like a game. We consume lots and lots of garlic so I try to find 40-50 cloves worthy of planting.

This still leaves me with a hundred or so smaller cloves for eating. It’s the perfect balance of enjoying now and investing for later.

There’s lots of debate (it’s quite a heated issue!) whether or not you should remove the clove wrappers prior to planting.

Some say that the wrappings help protect against many soil-borne microbes while the cloves are growing roots.

Others argue that the wrappings should be removed as the garlic clove covers can contain fungal spores, or conidia or the eggs of pests such as mites and are best discarded rather than planted.

I do remove the outermost layer but don’t “pick away” at the clove if you know what I mean.

Rule #4 – Lay out your cloves to dry

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Break apart cloves from the bulb just a few days before planting, but keep some of the papery husk on each individual clove.

 

I like to separate mine as shown above in a box before I plant.

Here in Buffalo, we try to plant before we get a super hard frost so I aim for the end October or early November when I’m running behind schedule.

But I’ve heard many Southern gardeners enjoy planting their garlic as late as February or March. Nice!

Garlic roots will grow whenever the ground is not frozen, and the tops will grow whenever the temperature is above 40°F.

In colder areas, your goal is to get the garlic to grow roots before the deep freeze shows its ugly head, but not to make top growth until after the worst of the winter.

Raised beds help me achieve this goal because “the ground” takes virtually forever to freeze.

In warmer areas, the goal is to get enough top growth to get off to a flaming start in the spring, but not so much top growth that the leaves can’t stand the winter.

If garlic gets frozen back to the ground in the winter, it can re-grow and be fine. If it dies back twice in the winter, the yield will go way down!

Rule #5 – Don’t plant upside down

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The blunt end, the part where the roots will sprout must go directly into the ground. The pointy end remains on top.
 
Failure to follow this rule results in some silly looking garlic.
 
You’ll see some sprouts in the air and you really won’t get any bulbs of substance. Always double check yourself on each bulb to make sure they are going into the ground correctly.
 
Planting nice and straight as a rule yields nice straight garlic stalks.
 
Speaking of the ground, garlic does best with a sandy or clay loam with very good drainage and a pH of 6.0-8.4. It loves raised beds and thrives in pots!
 
Fertile soil with lots of organic matter and a full range of nutrients is a must to grow good garlic. And plant in full-sun, garlic must have full-sun.

Most growers spread compost or soybean meal at planting time. 
 

Rule #6 – Plant only the most pristine of bulbs

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When I see brown spots such as the one shown above, I use that clove in cooking instead of planting.

 

I just cut off the brown spots first. Brown spots are likely a fungus so why take the chance? There are other cloves to choose from free of disease.

I’ve read that these brown spots could be fusarium which reveals itself as small brown spots on the cloves, yellowed leaves and stunted browned roots.

If you notice this, fusarium levels can be kept down by adding wood ash when planting.

You can even dust your garlic beds with wood ashes over the winter as you accumulate more from your wood stove or fire pit. (If you have one.)

Rule #7 – Give them space

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Quick reminder: Pointy end up. Blunt end down. Or your garlic won’t sprout.

 

I’ve also learned the hard way over the years that if your plant your garlic too close together the bulbs don’t grow as big as this stunts their growth.

Sadly, this was very true of my last crop. Both the bulbs and the cloves inside the bulbs were tiny. We planted too close together!

I’ve read many places online that’s it’s okay to plant just 3 inches apart but I respectfully disagree. Too close! Stunts the growth.

Rule #8 Mulch to help with the overwintering process

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Living in the Northeast, we mulch heavily for overwintering. Straw or leaves work best. In the spring, remove the mulch after the threat of frost has passed.

 

Young shoots can’t survive in temps below 20 degrees Fahrenheit on their own.

Water every 3-5 days during the bulbing season, that’s mid-May through June. This means your garlic wants about 1-2″ of water per week during the growing season (not during the winter).

Stop watering when the leaves start to turn yellow.

Cut off any flower shoots that emerge in spring. These may decrease bulb size and we don’t want that!

Last, when you go to pull off that excess mulch, realize you may have new “friends” nesting in it. Each year, I get at least one bunny family that begs me not to disturb them!

Rule #9 – Use and enjoy the entire garlic plant from top to bottom

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For the majority of us, July and August are the most likely months you’ll harvest your homegrown garlic! The plants are ready when the stalks start drying up.

 

Once the tips start turning brown you are ready to dig the bulbs up carefully with a spade.

But if you’re like me and impatient to get a headstart (and are frugally minded) you’ll want to snip and eat the scapes first.

This usually occurs about a month before harvest time, so for me, it’s around June.

Typically, I steam my scapes and they taste like garlicky green beans. Scrumptious and nutritious.

Rule #10 – Store excess bulbs for future use

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  • Wait until bulbs are dry prior to storing. Remove dirt and trim off excess roots and leaves. I remove the ickiest wrappers but keep most on.
  • Keep them cool, as in about 40 degree F. in a dark, dry place. The basement might not be the best spot if yours is moist. Maybe your garage or garden shed instead?
  • Avoid temps between 40-50 degrees F. in the summer as this causes the garlic to sprout before you are ready to plant (been there…done that!)  No refrigerator. Bad refrigerator.
  • Good news! The flavor increases as the bulbs are dried.
  • Quick reminder, save some of your larger bulbs with no brown markings for next season.
This post contains affiliate links. This means I make a very small amount if you make a purchase off the link. But at no additional cost to you. Anything I make goes right back into the site. Thank you so much for the support! I am so very grateful…more than I can communicate in this short quip! So if you were to make a purchase through Amazon anyhow, I’d be so appreciative if you used my link as it helps me pay for my website and email list.

Have you planted your garlic yet? Do you plan on putting some in?

Secret code ~ Fall

76 Comments

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Comments

  1. Deborah C Stinson says

    April 28, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    Never tried to grow garlic but it looks like a good idea.

    Reply
  2. Bre Kershaw says

    April 28, 2021 at 7:52 pm

    Wow… what great tips!!! I can’t wait to start my first garden!!!

    Reply
  3. Shelia says

    April 28, 2021 at 8:54 pm

    I see baskets of colorful yarn on this! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sandra McFadden says

    April 28, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    I love Garlic I purchased a property where the lady was growing Russian Garlic it was the best……….

    Reply
    • Carol Dempsey says

      May 1, 2021 at 1:32 pm

      I use garlic in all my recipes.

      Reply
  5. Calshondra Williams says

    April 28, 2021 at 10:49 pm

    I love preparing garlic in my recipes. Thanks for sharing this information.

    Reply
    • Della says

      April 30, 2021 at 12:45 am

      Thank you for shearing this information I appreciate it.

      Reply
  6. Liz Kilcher says

    April 29, 2021 at 4:14 am

    i will try this, thanks much

    Reply
  7. REBECCA STEPHEN says

    April 29, 2021 at 7:23 am

    my mother was a cook for over 30 years and used garlic everyday

    Reply
  8. Diane Warstler says

    April 29, 2021 at 8:36 am

    Thanks so much for the informative article.

    Reply
  9. Brian M. Teater says

    April 29, 2021 at 9:12 am

    Thanks for the great article!

    Reply
  10. Amber Lee Kolb says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:09 am

    I have never tried my hand at growing garlic yet, but I really want to. We use garlic in so many of the dishes we make.

    Reply
  11. Joanna says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:16 am

    I planted garlic in pots last Autumn. I am waiting for them to mature

    Reply
  12. Rachel Edmunson says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:21 am

    I planted some this year! We will see if I get any finished garlic to actually produce! Fingers crossed!

    Reply
  13. Pamela Chambers says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:35 am

    Gosh all this info is so helpful. Can’t wait to try your tips.

    Reply
  14. Barbara Pacific says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:46 am

    Woe very fetsiled instructions! Love it, thank you for being so through, I will be planting this fall.

    Reply
  15. Lisa Reid says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:55 am

    I use garlic for almost everything. I’ll have to try growing it!

    Reply
  16. Yona Williams says

    April 29, 2021 at 11:29 am

    I learned a lot from this post (like, I didn’t even know that scapes existed and that you can eat them). I never thought about growing my own garlic, that would save so much money and probably be a lot of fun.

    Reply
  17. Sam Wallace says

    April 29, 2021 at 11:41 am

    👍

    Reply
  18. Julie Waldron says

    April 29, 2021 at 11:43 am

    I love garlic but have never tried planting it, I would like to though.

    Reply
  19. Jean F says

    April 29, 2021 at 11:44 am

    I love garlic but have never thought of growing it.

    Reply
  20. DeeAnn S says

    April 29, 2021 at 11:51 am

    Don’t know why I’ve never tried to grow garlic, I love it! Thanks for all the useful information. Maybe this fall I’ll give it a try. 😉

    Reply
  21. Bradley Marquis says

    April 29, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    cool

    Reply
  22. Jacob E Morton says

    April 29, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Thanks for all the information!

    Reply
  23. Sharon R says

    April 29, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    I had no idea about the grocery store garlic. Thanks for the hints!

    Reply
  24. Barbara Calder says

    April 29, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    Great information. I had no idea that growing garlic was so easy.

    Reply
  25. Cynthia says

    April 29, 2021 at 2:07 pm

    I would like to plant some garlic. Thank you for the article.

    Reply
  26. monique s says

    April 29, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    I love garlic and use it in so many dishes would be great to grow it

    Reply
  27. Lisa Cress says

    April 29, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    I need to give garlic a try! Thanks much!

    Reply
  28. Lisa Alden says

    April 29, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    Im planting garlic for the first time ths year!

    Reply
  29. Janis C says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    I’ve been meaning to plant some garlic. You’ve given me the motivation. Thanks!

    Reply
  30. Natalie says

    April 29, 2021 at 10:24 pm

    I LOVE adding garlic to the food I eat, so I want to try growing it!

    Reply
  31. Jodi Wresh says

    April 30, 2021 at 12:15 am

    Thanks for the great info. Learn something new everyday.

    Reply
  32. Gina N. says

    April 30, 2021 at 12:49 am

    I’m Italian, so I constantly cook with garlic and am always buying it at the grocery store. You’ve inspired me to start growing my own. Thank you for the post.

    Reply
  33. Judith Bayer says

    April 30, 2021 at 11:59 am

    I see a garlic crop in my future.

    Reply
  34. Sam says

    April 30, 2021 at 2:08 pm

    I’ve never grown garlic, but this definitely a good starter tutorial.

    Reply
  35. Christina Wahrmund says

    April 30, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    I never knew that you could grow your own garlic. I love garlic. I am definitely trying this. Thanks for the info.

    Reply
  36. Betsy Pauzauskie says

    April 30, 2021 at 6:39 pm

    When we lived in Missouri we grew garlic (and asparagus.) Since moving to Texas we’ve haven’t grown either. I had good intentions of planting garlic last Fall . . . yet, Spring arrived & zip. I hope to get garlic in this Fall/Winter, use ashes (a new to me idea for garlic), and possibly get lucky growing some baby bunnies too! 🙂 However, our baby bunnies turn up mostly in the Azalea flower beds come Spring. Thanks for another wonderfully inclusive article, fun anecdotes & personal experiences.

    Reply