This Is How I Grow Garlic for Big Harvests

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow in a home garden—making it fun for beginners to get started—but the sheer number of cultivars available keeps it exciting for even the most seasoned gardener.

If you’re new to growing garlic—or maybe you’re a seasoned gardener who wants to pick up a few new tricks—this growing guide will tell you everything you need to know about planting garlic.

Learn what the best types of garlic are for your climate, my six easy steps to planting garlic, and why it’s better to plant a little too late than too early.

Determine the right time to plant your garlic.

Generally the best time of year to plant garlic is in fall (late September to late October) because the plants need a natural dormant period that includes exposure to cold temperatures (a process called vernalization).

Prepare the planting site.

Garlic likes full sun and rich, well-draining soil (though it can tolerate many soil types). If yours is on the clayey side, add 2 to 3 inches of aged compost on top of the soil to help loosen it and improve soil structure.

Break up the bulbs.

Break your bulbs apart and pick out all the cloves that are firm and plump, leaving the papery wrapping on each clove as intact as possible.

Plant cloves at the appropriate depth.

Plant each clove, root end down (and pointy end up), 4 to 6 inches apart with 6 to 9 inches between rows. Fill the trench with soil.

And if you’ve been growing garlic for years, this little tidbit might blow your mind—softneck garlic cloves can be planted in any direction.

Swipe up to read the full post!

How to Choose the Best Garlic Varieties For Your Garden

Green Garlic Is the Bonus Crop You Never Knew You Had