Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops you can grow. Plant single cloves in autumn, leave them over winter, and by early summer each clove has multiplied into a full, fragrant bulb. It takes up little space, few pests bother it, and a good harvest can supply your kitchen for most of the year. This guide shows you how to grow garlic step by step: choosing the right type, when and how to plant, caring for it through winter and spring, and harvesting and curing bulbs that store for months.
Quick Facts: Growing Garlic
| Planting time | Autumn, about 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes (mild climates: late autumn to early winter) |
| Harvest | Early to mid-summer the following year |
| Depth | About 2 in (5 cm), pointed end up |
| Spacing | 6 in (15 cm) apart, rows 12 in (30 cm) apart |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Loose, fertile, well-drained; pH about 6.0–7.0 |
| Cold requirement | Needs several weeks of cold (below about 40°F / 4°C) to form bulbs |
Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic
Choosing the right type for your climate is the most important decision.
| Hardneck | Softneck | |
|---|---|---|
| Best climate | Cold winters | Mild winters |
| Flavor | Complex, often stronger | Milder |
| Cloves | Fewer, larger, easy to peel | More, smaller, in layers |
| Scapes | Yes: edible flower stalks in late spring | No |
| Storage | About 4–6 months | About 6–9 months |
| Braiding | No (stiff stem) | Yes |
| Examples | Music, German Extra Hardy, Chesnok Red | California Early, Inchelium Red, Silverskin |
Tip: buy seed garlic from a local supplier or seed company. Supermarket garlic may be treated, may carry disease, and is often grown in a very different climate.
When to Plant Garlic
Garlic is planted in autumn so it can develop roots before winter and get the cold period it needs to form bulbs.
- Cold climates (northern US, Canada, much of the UK): plant from late September to early November, about 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes.
- Mild climates (southern US, much of Australia, milder UK areas): plant from late October to December. Softneck varieties usually perform better.
- Very warm climates: chill cloves in the refrigerator for several weeks before planting to simulate winter.
Spring planting is possible, but bulbs are usually smaller.
How to Plant Garlic
- Prepare the bed. Loosen the soil and mix in 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of well-rotted compost. Garlic hates waterlogged soil, so use raised beds on heavy ground. See our guide on compost for clay soil.
- Separate the cloves just before planting. Keep the papery skins on and choose the largest cloves. Big cloves make big bulbs.
- Plant pointed end up, about 2 in (5 cm) deep, 6 in (15 cm) apart, in rows 12 in (30 cm) apart.
- Water to settle the soil.
- Mulch with 3–6 in (8–15 cm) of straw or shredded leaves in cold climates to protect against freeze-thaw heaving. Use a thinner layer in mild areas.
Caring for Garlic Through Winter and Spring
- Winter: green shoots may appear in autumn; that’s normal. Leave them.
- Spring feeding: when growth resumes, side-dress with compost or a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer such as blood meal or fish emulsion. Garlic needs nitrogen during leaf growth.
- Watering: about 1 in (2.5 cm) per week during spring growth. Stop watering about 2 weeks before harvest so bulbs cure well.
- Weeding: garlic competes poorly with weeds. Keep beds clean and mulched.
- Remove scapes (hardneck): when the curly flower stalks form a loop in late spring, cut them off. This directs energy into the bulb, and scapes are delicious in pesto and stir-fries.
Common Garlic Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Small bulbs | Small cloves planted, weeds, late planting, too little nitrogen in spring | Plant big cloves on time, weed, feed in spring |
| Bulbs didn’t divide | Not enough cold, or spring planting | Plant in autumn, pre-chill in warm areas |
| Rotting cloves | Waterlogged soil | Raised beds, better drainage |
| Orange spots on leaves | Rust (fungal) | Improve airflow, rotate, remove badly affected leaves |
| Yellowing in spring | Nitrogen shortage | Side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer |
When to Harvest Garlic
Timing matters. Harvest too early and bulbs are small; too late and the cloves separate and store poorly.
- Harvest when about half of the leaves have turned brown and roughly 5–6 green leaves remain. Each green leaf represents a protective wrapper around the bulb.
- This is usually early to mid-summer. Hardnecks are often ready 3–4 weeks after scapes appear.
- Dig one test bulb first. Cloves should be well formed and fill the skin.
How to Harvest
- Loosen the soil with a garden fork a few inches away from the plants.
- Lift bulbs gently. Don’t pull by the stem or bang off soil, since bruised bulbs store poorly.
- Brush off loose soil and keep the leaves and roots attached for curing.
Curing and Storing Garlic
- Cure in a shaded, dry, well-ventilated place for 2–4 weeks. Hang in bundles or lay on racks, out of direct sun and rain.
- Garlic is cured when the necks are tight and dry and the outer skins are papery.
- Trim roots to about ¼ in and cut stems 1–2 in above the bulb (or braid softnecks).
- Store in a cool, dry, dark place with good airflow, around 55–65°F (13–18°C) at moderate humidity. Avoid the refrigerator for long-term storage, since it can trigger sprouting.
- Save the biggest bulbs for next year’s planting stock.
How Much Garlic Should You Plant?
Each clove becomes one bulb. If your household uses one bulb a week, plant about 50–60 cloves, plus extra to save for replanting. A 4 × 8 ft (1.2 × 2.4 m) bed holds roughly 100 cloves at 6-inch spacing in rows about 6 inches apart, a common intensive-bed approach.
FAQ: How to Grow Garlic
Can I plant garlic from the grocery store?
It may grow, but results are unreliable. Seed garlic from a local supplier is adapted to your climate and free of treatments.
How long does garlic take to grow?
About 7–9 months from autumn planting to summer harvest.
Should I cut the flowers off garlic?
Yes. Removing hardneck scapes helps the plant put energy into bigger bulbs, and the scapes are edible.
Can garlic grow in containers?
Yes. Use a pot at least 8–10 in (20–25 cm) deep with good drainage, and space cloves about 4–6 in apart.
Why is my garlic just one big round clove?
This happens when garlic doesn’t get enough cold or is planted late. Replant it in autumn and it will usually divide the following year.
Garlic fits perfectly into a home food system. Once your bed is planted, plan the rest of your season with our guides to growing potatoes and growing sweet potatoes.
