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How to Grow Garlic
Garlic likes a sunny location with well-drained, fairly rich soil. Organic matter can be added to improve the soil texture and fertility. Compost is a good all-round fertilizer or a small amount of manure can be added to prepare the soil before planting. If the soil is heavy add peatmoss to help loosen it and improve drainage. A raised bed can be formed to also help with drainage.
A sprinkling of lime should be used to keep the soil pH around 6.6 and a granular fertilizer, such as 6-12-12, should be worked into the soil before planting.
Garlic can be planted in the spring or fall, although fall planting is generally recommended. Spring and fall planted bulbs mature at about the same time, but the fall planted cloves grow bigger. If the bulbs are in the ground at least 3-4 weeks before the first hard freeze up, they will have time to set some roots and become established before they succumb to winter dormancy.
At planting time, separate the bulbs into cloves, leaving their skins on. Each clove will give you a whole new head of garlic. Plant the cloves so that they have 2 inches of soil above them and about 6 - 8 inches apart. The plants will flower around the middle of June. Snap off these flower heads about 4 inches down from the top to force the plants growing effort into the bulb. Around the end of July, the plants will begin to turn brown.
When the plants are half green and half brown, check a few to see whether the bulbs are ready. As the plants mature, the cloves fill out and the skins become thinner - this is what you're looking for. Harvest the bulbs when ready and let them dry in the sun for a few days. Remove the dried soil from the bulb and when they seem well drained cut off the old roots and store in cardboard boxes in a dry indoor area. Do not store them in the fridge - it is too humid and leads to rot. The bulbs can last 6 to 8 months in a warm dry location.
Vol. 97 no. 7
© Murray's Garden and
Horticultural Services
Last updated:
March 2, 2008