GARDENING FACT SHEET:
Click to View Printable PDF file: “Growing Garlic”
Where to Plant Garlic
Garlic prefers a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sun a day, but can grow with as little as 4 hours of sun.
Types of Garlic
Garlic is classified as either hardneck or softneck.
When to Plant Garlic
- Hardneck garlic requires a longer chilling period and is usually planted in the fall.
- Softneck does not need as long a cooling period and can be planted in the spring.
- Both are ready to harvest by mid to late July.
Planting Garlic and Soil Requirements
- Garlic likes moist, well-drained soil. Extended dry spells may result in smaller bulb size at harvest.
- Each garlic bulb is made up of several cloves. Plant the individual cloves, pointed end up, 3 inches deep, and 3-4 inches apart.
- Fertilize every 3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Hardneck garlic will produce flower stalks (scapes) which should be cut off when they appear. This will help to increase the size of the bulb. (The scapes are edible; they can be chopped and used like garlic).
Harvesting and Storing Garlic
- Garlic is ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn brown.
- Stop watering several days before harvest to allow the soil to dry out, then dig the garlic and cure it in a warm, ventilated, area for about 2 weeks.
- Once it has dried, trim the leaves and roots about 1 inch from the bulb and store in a cool, dark space, such as a basement or unheated closet.
Click to View Printable PDF file: “Growing Garlic”
