Complete Guide to Planting and Growing Seed Garlic

Introduction to Growing Garlic

Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops for home gardeners. Plant it in fall, forget about it over winter, and harvest plump, flavorful bulbs the following summer. With proper variety selection and care, you can grow garlic that far surpasses anything available in stores.

Types of Garlic

Hardneck Garlic

Best for cold climates (Zones 3-6). Produces a central flower stalk called a "scape" and typically has 4-12 large, easy-to-peel cloves. Stronger, more complex flavors but shorter storage life (4-6 months).

Popular Hardneck Varieties: Music, German Red, Spanish Roja, Chesnok Red, Georgian Fire

Softneck Garlic

Better for mild climates (Zones 6-10). No scape, more cloves per bulb (12-20), and stores longer (9-12 months). The type commonly found in grocery stores.

Popular Softneck Varieties: California Early, Inchelium Red, Silver White, Lorz Italian

When to Plant

Fall Planting (Recommended): Plant 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. This allows roots to establish before winter dormancy.

• Zones 3-5: Late September to mid-October
• Zones 6-7: Mid-October to early November
• Zones 8-10: Late October to December

Spring Planting: Possible but results in smaller bulbs. Plant as soon as soil can be worked.

Site Selection and Soil Preparation

• Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)
• Soil Type: Well-draining, loose, fertile soil. Garlic will rot in waterlogged conditions.
• pH: 6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
• Soil Prep: Work in 2-4 inches of compost before planting. Add balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at 1 lb per 100 sq ft.

Planting Instructions

1. Break Apart Bulbs: Separate cloves from the bulb no more than 48 hours before planting. Keep the papery skin on each clove.
2. Select Best Cloves: Plant only the largest, healthiest cloves. Save small cloves for cooking.
3. Planting Depth: Plant cloves 2-3 inches deep, pointed end UP.
4. Spacing: Space cloves 4-6 inches apart in rows 8-12 inches apart.
5. Mulch Heavily: Apply 4-6 inches of straw or leaf mulch after planting. This protects cloves from frost heaving and suppresses spring weeds.

Growing Season Care

Spring Care

• Pull back mulch slightly as green shoots emerge to allow soil to warm.
• Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer (blood meal or fish emulsion) when shoots are 6 inches tall.
• Water 1 inch per week if spring is dry.

Scape Removal (Hardneck Only)

In late spring, hardneck garlic sends up a curly flower stalk. Cut scapes when they make one full curl but before they straighten. This redirects energy to bulb development and can increase bulb size by 25-30%.

Don't throw away scapes! They're delicious grilled, in pesto, or stir-fried.

Summer Care

• Stop fertilizing 4-6 weeks before harvest.
• Reduce watering as harvest approaches. Stop watering entirely 1-2 weeks before harvest.
• Watch for pests and diseases.

Harvesting

When to Harvest: When lower leaves turn brown but 5-6 green leaves remain (typically mid-June to late July depending on variety and location).

1. Loosen soil with a garden fork—don't pull by the stalk.
2. Gently lift bulbs from soil.
3. Shake off loose dirt but don't wash.
4. Keep stalks attached for curing.

Curing and Storage

1. Cure: Hang in bundles or lay flat in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight for 2-4 weeks.
2. Trim: Once cured, trim roots to 1/4 inch and cut stalks to 1 inch above bulb (or braid softneck varieties).
3. Store: Keep in a cool (50-60°F), dry location with good air circulation. Never refrigerate or store in plastic.

Common Problems

• Small Bulbs: Usually caused by insufficient nutrients, crowding, or early spring planting.
• Rotting: Caused by poor drainage or overwatering. Improve soil drainage.
• Rust: Orange spots on leaves. Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation.
• White Rot: Serious fungal disease. Rotate crops and don't plant garlic in the same spot for 4+ years.

Saving Seed Garlic

Save your largest, healthiest bulbs for replanting. This selects for varieties adapted to your specific growing conditions. Store seed garlic in a cool, dry place until fall planting time.