If you’re curious about how to plant garlic, you’re in for a fun and rewarding gardening journey. Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow and brings bold flavor to your kitchen dishes. Whether you’re starting a vegetable garden in your backyard or planting in pots on a balcony, garlic doesn’t ask for much. Just a little care and the right timing.
I’m going to guide you step by step through the process of planting garlic, from choosing the right garlic cloves to harvesting big, beautiful bulbs. I’ll also share practical gardening tips, personal tricks, and common mistakes to avoid so you get a bountiful harvest every time.
Why Grow Garlic?
Is growing garlic worth your time? Garlic isn’t just another herb. It’s a kitchen essential, a natural immune booster, and an incredible crop that stores well for months. You can grow garlic once a year and enjoy its benefits all year long. Here’s why I personally love growing garlic:
- It’s low maintenance compared to many other vegetables.
- You plant it once and harvest it months later. It does not need much care.
- Garlic doesn’t need a lot of space, so even container gardeners can grow it.
- It has natural pest-repelling properties, which helps other plants around it.
Fresh homegrown garlic tastes way better than the supermarket versions. It’s juicier, spicier, and way more aromatic.
When to Plant Garlic
Garlic planting is all about timing, and the best time to plant it depends on where you live. I always recommend planting in the fall, but let me explain why. Fall planting gives garlic a head start. The cloves begin developing roots before winter, then go dormant during the cold season. Once spring arrives, they shoot up and grow rapidly.
If you’re in a colder climate, plant garlic about 2–4 weeks before the ground freezes—usually between late October and early November. In warmer zones, like parts of Pakistan or southern US states, garlic can also be planted in late December or even early January, as long as the soil isn’t too warm.
Choosing the Right Garlic to Plant
Not all garlic types are same, and choosing the right garlic type makes a big difference. You’ll see two main types: hardneck garlic and softneck garlic. I’ll explain both so you can pick what suits you best.
Hardneck Garlic
Hardneck varieties grow well in colder regions. They produce larger cloves and have a strong, complex flavor.
- Better for colder winters
- Easier to peel
- Typically produces garlic scapes (you can cook those too)
Softneck Garlic
Softneck varieties are ideal for milder climates. They produce more cloves per bulb and store longer.
- Best for warmer zones
- Stores well (up to 9 months)
- No garlic scapes
When buying garlic to plant, avoid supermarket garlic. It’s often treated to prevent sprouting. Instead, buy from a local nursery, farmer’s market, or an online garlic seed store.
How to Plant Garlic
I’m going to walk you through how to plant garlic properly to get strong, healthy bulbs by harvest time.
Step 1: Prepare the Soil
Garlic needs well-draining, loose soil. Heavy clay or soggy ground can cause rot. I always enrich my soil with compost a week before planting.
Soil tips:
- pH should be 6.0–7.0
- Add aged compost or well-rotted manure
- Ensure the soil is not compacted
Step 2: Break Apart Garlic Bulbs
Take your garlic bulb and gently separate the cloves, keeping the papery skin intact. Don’t peel the cloves—just break them apart.
- Use the biggest outer cloves for planting
- Discard any damaged or tiny cloves
Step 3: Plant the Cloves
Plant each clove pointy side up, about 2 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart. Space your rows about 12 inches apart to give roots room to grow.
I like to draw shallow furrows in the soil and plant all the cloves at once. Cover them with soil and gently pat it down.
Step 4: Water Well
Water the bed thoroughly after planting. Garlic doesn’t like soggy soil, but it does need consistent moisture to get established.
- Keep soil moist but not wet
- Mulch with straw or dry leaves to hold moisture and insulate in winter
Garlic Care
Once garlic is in the ground, most of the work is about smart care rather than constant attention. Here’s what you need to do through fall, winter, and spring.
Fall and Winter
- After planting, mulch heavily with straw to protect from winter freeze.
- Garlic will grow roots in fall but stay dormant in winter.
Spring
- As temperatures warm, shoots will appear.
- Remove mulch if it’s too thick and causing soggy soil.
- Water regularly, especially during dry weeks.
Feeding the Plants
Garlic is a light feeder but appreciates a boost. In early spring, I feed my garlic with a balanced organic fertilizer or a little compost tea. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers—that leads to big green tops but small bulbs.
Dealing with Pests and Problems
Garlic naturally repels many garden pests. Still, it’s not completely immune.
Common Issues:
- White rot – fungal disease in overly wet soil
- Aphids – can gather on leaves or scapes
- Yellowing leaves – might be a sign of poor drainage or nutrient deficiency
Use neem oil or insecticidal soap for bugs. Rotate crops every year to avoid soil diseases.
Harvest Garlic (When & How)
Harvesting garlic is one of the most satisfying parts of the process of growing it. You’ll know it’s ready when the lower leaves turn yellow and begin to dry. Usually, this happens in late spring to early summer, around 7–9 months after planting.
How to Harvest
- Use a garden fork to gently lift the bulbs
- Don’t pull the stalks—it can damage the bulb
- Shake off dirt but don’t wash the bulbs
Let them cure by hanging in a dry, shady spot with good airflow for about 2–3 weeks. Once dried, you can trim the roots and stalks.
How to Store Garlic for Long Term
Storing garlic the right way keeps it fresh for months. I keep mine in mesh bags or baskets in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid storing in the fridge—it encourages sprouting.
Tips for storage:
- Softneck stores up to 8–9 months
- Hardneck stores 3–5 months
- Keep at 60–65°F (15–18°C) in low humidity
How to Grow Garlic Again
You can replant garlic from your best bulbs each season. Choose the largest cloves from your harvest and save them for planting next fall. This way, you’re building a strong, localized strain that adapts to your soil and climate year after year.
Quick Tips to Grow Big, Healthy Garlic
Before we wrap up, here’s a list of golden garlic-growing tips I always follow.
- Choose big, healthy cloves for planting
- Plant in fall for larger bulbs
- Water deeply but not frequently
- Mulch well to retain moisture and protect from cold
- Don’t over-fertilize
- Rotate crops yearly to prevent disease
Final Thoughts
Planting garlic is simple, satisfying, and super rewarding. It’s one of those garden crops that give back way more than they ask for. From just a few cloves, you get whole bulbs packed with flavor, nutrition, and versatility.
Whether you’re planting in a raised bed, a container, or a small backyard garden, garlic can thrive with just a little love and care. And once you start, I bet you’ll make it a yearly tradition like I did.
What About You?
Have you ever tried to plant garlic before? What challenges did you face or what successes made you proud? Or if you’re just getting started, what part are you most excited about? Drop your thoughts in the comments!