Planting Garlic: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Harvest for Beginners

Planting Garlic: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Harvest for Beginners:
Your Guide To Planting, Harvesting, & Storing.

Are you a beginner gardener looking to try your hand at growing garlic? Look no further!

In this ultimate guide, we will take you through everything you need to know about planting garlic, from selecting the right type, to harvesting your own delicious bulbs. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a small balcony, growing garlic is a rewarding and satisfying experience that can be enjoyed by anyone.

You’ll learn all the tips and tricks to ensure a successful harvest, even if you’ve never grown anything before. From when and how to plant cloves, to knowing when garlic is ready to harvest, we’ll break down each step and provide expert advice to help you achieve optimal results.

So, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to embark on this exciting journey of planting garlic – your taste buds, wallet, and dinner table will thank you!

Challenges To Growing Garlic

If you’re in the country and have a lot of space, you have an advantage. But if you’re in the city, growing garlic can present some challenges. The main one being that this part of your garden will be in use for that one crop for almost an entire year, so you need to plan accordingly. You may have to give up growing something else in order to have space to grow your garlic.

Advantages To Growing Garlic

So that’s the disadvantage, but there are many advantages as well. One being that garlic is pretty easy to grow. Another is that the bulbs don’t take up too much space. Garlic is also healthy, delicious, and can be stored all year. This means you won’t need to buy it at the store anymore. Woo Hoo! For more information about preserving your garlic, click here.

When To Plant Garlic

A lot of people think gardens end in summer, which is partially true; they definitely slow down. But there are still things to do and plant in the fall and winter months, too. And planting garlic is one of them!

Planting Garlic In The Fall 🧄

One of the main things I do in my fall and winter garden is plant garlic. Lots of people are surprised when I tell them to plant garlic this time of year, but it’s true!

Garlic is a bulb. And just like you plant flower bulbs in the fall, garlic is the same.

Fall planting allows the roots to get kind of a head start. They are able to start out and grow a bit before the cold takes over.

When we go into the deep winter months, they will pause their growing and be dormant. But as soon as the soil warms in spring, they are right back at it, and no time is wasted. This is good because garlic takes a long time to grow and develop—sometimes up to nine months, and there’s not a lot of time to waste.

Planting Garlic

Since garlic is a fall plant, here in the Pacific Northwest, I usually plant mine in October or November. Check your local weather charts and zones to see when the best time to plant is for you. 

Soil

If you’re using raised beds, your soil is probably already pretty loose. If you’re planting directly in the ground, make sure to dig deep and loosen up the soil, or build it up with compost so it’s ready to move and groove with your garlic. If it’s too hard, the garlic will have to work very hard to push through, which could diminish the plant.

Organic Fertilizers & Soil Amendments

In the fall it is good to use soil amendments that will boost phosphorus and potassium to encourage root growth. Some good organic options are bat guano and bone meal. You can also use an organic bulb fertilizer. Compost and worm castings are great for general soil improvement, too.

Mulch For Planting Garlic

If you live in a very cold climate, you may want to mulch your garlic in the winter. Use a thin layer of straw if it’s not too cold where you live, and up to 6 inches of straw if you live where it is very cold. Think of the straw as a warm winter blanket for your garlic. 

In the spring you’ll want to encourage plant growth, as well. So some good organic fertilizers are fish fertilizer and feather meal. You can also continue to use more of the fertilizers you used in fall. You can even use these as a top dressing, meaning you can sprinkle them on top of the soil.

For more gardening supplies, check out my Amazon Shop!

How To Plant Garlic

People often wonder if you plant the whole bulb of garlic. The answer is no! Divide the bulb into each individual clove, and plant each one separately. Each clove will become a full bulb on its own.

Garlic should be planted about 2-4 inches deep. Plant with the fat root tip down, and the pointy part up. This is where the plant will grow from. Leave about 6 inches of space between bulbs if you’re doing raised beds. If you’re planting in ground, be sure to also leave space between rows to get by, as well, about 1-2 feet, depending on how much space you have available. 

One of my favorite tools for planting is a dibber. It’s a pointy tool that you stab into the ground to dig small holes. It also helps you measure depth and space. They’re pretty inexpensive, and good for planting lots of other things, too. Here’s a link! This is an affiliate link, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.

After your cloves are all planted, give them a good drink of water. I live in a rainy climate, so after planting, I can usually just kind of forget about them until spring. But if you live somewhere dry, water as needed. 

Growing Garlic

Garlic is a full sun crop, so be sure to give it the light it needs! That being said, if you’re in a very hot climate, it can also enjoy some shade. And even in Washington, I’ve had great success growing garlic in a partial sun area that has quite a bit of shade. So don’t be afraid to experiment if you need to!

You want to be sure you keep your garlic watered regularly (pretty easy in the spring and winter months—thanks rain!), but it likes to dry out a bit between waterings, too.

You can also continue to feed it with the organic fertilizers mentioned in this post.

Harvesting Garlic

The garlic will tell you it’s ready to be harvested when the lower leaves start to turn brown. For me this is usually June or July, but it can vary. 

People have varying views on this. Some will let the plant turn mostly brown before harvest time. Because I need the space to grow other things, I harvest mine when the outer leaves start to brown, but the plant still has a good amount of green.

When it’s time to harvest, carefully dig up the bulbs. If you just yank, it’s easy to damage the stems and cloves. So be sure to take your time. It also helps if you stop watering a few days before harvest.

Clear off the dirt with a good shake and a dry cloth. I also trim the roots. It’s a good idea to do this when you know you will have a stretch of sunny weather, so you can help it cure. 

Curing Garlic

In order for the garlic to store all year, you need to dry it out, which is a process called curing. This is just a fancy way of saying you need to dry out your garlic. 

You may hang your garlic individually to dry, or use a braiding method. Example here.

Hang them in a warm dry place, out of direct sunlight. Let them cure until the leaves are all pale and dead looking, and the roots feel tough and shriveled. Now your garlic is ready to be stored.

Storing Garlic

When it comes to storing garlic, not all are equal. You want to be sure to plant varieties that store long term. Some examples are Silverskin, Creole, Music, and Artichoke. When shopping for garlic, look for varieties that mention that they store well. 

Keep garlic braids in the house or garage until ready for use. When ready, simply pick off what you need and enjoy!

If you notice your garlic starting to soften or darken, it should be used right away or thrown out. One way to quickly use up garlic that is starting to turn is to make garlic powder, as shown here. Make Your Own Garlic Powder

Hard Neck or Soft Neck Varieties

This is purely a personal choice. Hard neck varieties produces scapes, which some people love to cook with. And soft neck varieties typically store better. Check out this table to help you decide.

Like I said, what you choose is totally up to you. I’m a dabbler, so I typically grow both.

Free Garlic For Life:
How To never Buy Garlic At The Store Again

But there are even more benefits to growing your own garlic! Your cured and harvested garlic is not just for eating—it is also for planting!

That’s right, after the harvest, be sure to save some cloves for replanting in the fall.

Plant them just as this post instructs you to do. This way you have a continuous harvest each year, and will spend $0.00 at the store both for planting and using garlic. Pretty cool.

Check out the video below for more on this topic.

Helpful Tools For Planting Garlic

RESOURCES

Here are few more great resources to get you started!

Seasonal Planting Guide—This Free Guide will help you know when to plant what and how to maximize your space by growing seasonal gardens.

The Beginning Gardener’s Toolbox
This digital guide will take you through all the steps you need to prepare your garden space for planting—including how to plan your space, how to improve your soil, how to create a watering plan, what tools you need to get started, and how to tell garden friends from foes.

FAVORITE GARLIC SEED COMPANIES
Not affiliated, just a fan. I buy their organic varieties.
Siskiyou Seeds
Territorial Seeds
Basaltic Farms

Tips and Tricks For A Successful Garlic Harvest

In review, to ensure a successful garlic harvest, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:

1. Plant garlic in well-drained soil with a pH level between 6 and 7.

2. Choose the right garlic variety for your taste preferences and climate.

3. Plant garlic cloves in the fall, a few weeks before the first frost date.

4. Prepare the soil by removing weeds, incorporating organic matter, and adding fertilizer.

5. Plant the cloves with the pointed end facing up and the root end down.

6. Provide regular watering and fertilization to promote healthy growth.

7. Monitor for pests and diseases and take appropriate action to control them.

8. Harvest garlic when the leaves start to yellow and dry out, and cure the bulbs before storage.

9. Store garlic bulbs in a cool, dry, and dark place to maximize their shelf life.

By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to a successful garlic harvest. Growing garlic is a rewarding experience that will not only enhance your culinary creations but also provide you with a sense of accomplishment. So, grab your gardening tools and get ready to plant some garlic – your taste buds and dinner table will thank you!

Just Getting Started?

Grab our free guide, The Beginner’s Guide To Urban Homesteading to learn more about how to get started with making this dream a reality for yourself.

Are You Ready?

If you’re ready to start your own thriving urban homestead, and would like more detailed guidance, click here! Homestead in the City is a friendly, simple, robust and detailed course that will take you from beginner to urban homesteader in one growing season!

Learn everything you need to know about garden planning, space creating, planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and preserving. Filled with tips to save you time, money, and heartache, this is our most popular course!

To learn more about growing your own food, even in the city, and also how to cook recipes that are compatible with healing, using foods you’ve grown yourself, check out our star spangled course, Homestead in the City.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

Here are some more articles that may be helpful to you on your gardening and urban homesteading journey.

• What is Urban Homesteading? 
• New Year, New Backyard Vegetable Garden
• How To Grow & Harvest Horseradish
• Gardening in Small Spaces
• How to Make Your Own Garlic Powder
• How to Grow & Use Raspberries
• How To Grow, Harvest, & Store Potatoes
• A Casual Garden Stroll in June
• Health Benefits of Growing Lemon Balm
• 10 Essential Things to Do Before You Plan Your Garden
• The Biggest Game Changer in my Garden’s Success
• My Best (Easy!) Tip for Growing a Lush, Organic Garden
• Top 3 Easy to Grow Vegetables
• Make Your Own Vegetable Stock For Free
• Weird Tip For Keeping Slugs Out Of Your Garden

Now, Go Do The Thing!

There are so many ways to enjoy garlic, and it is so good for you! Are you planting garlic this year? If so, let me know! I’d love to see what you’re up to.

Come Say Hey!

I would love to get to know you more and see your garden (or your dreams of one)!

Please join our facebook group, Urban Homesteading, to ask questions, share stories and photos, and get to know others with similar struggles, goals, and dreams.

Looking for more information?

Follow The Little Green Shoot on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest, where I share tons of free tips and ideas.

Disclaimer: The Little Green Shoot is not a doctor, and does not even play one on TV. Please consult your medical professional for medical advice.

This post contains affiliate links, and The Little Green Shoot may earn from qualifying purchases.

You may also like…

Want to learn more about garlic? Use your harvests from the post to easily make your own garlic powder! Make Your Own Garlic Powder

For a video tutorial on how to braid garlic, click here.

For a long and rambling video demonstration, this is your jam, right here.

Looking for more herbs to grow yourself? Look no further!

Come Say Hey!

I would love to get to know you more and see your garden (or your dreams of one)!

Please join our facebook group, Urban Homesteading, to ask questions, share stories and photos, and get to know others with similar struggles, goals, and dreams.

Looking for more information? Follow The Little Green Shoot on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, where I share tons of free tips and ideas.