When to Plant Garlic: Planting Time, Care Guide and Common Mistakes to Avoid

I have always been really skeptical about growing garlic, primarily because it always felt like a tedious task to ensure the bulbs survived the winter dormancy. However, to my surprise, the garlic plant is really easy to grow and naturally survives the frost. 

Divided into two types, these perennial bulbs have been a kitchen staple forever, and learning how to grow them has ensured I have a continuous supply throughout the year. 

If you are building a kitchen garden from scratch, come along and explore when to plant garlic, along with growing and care guides. 

Quick answer 

The best time to plant garlic is in the fall, after the first frost, ideally between September and December. Although many believe softneck garlic can be planted in early spring, too, fall planting helps in better bulb formation and harvesting in the summer.

When to Plant Garlic?

Garlic is a winter plant and is best planted between September and mid-November after the first frost. However, the two types of garlic have different growing conditions, and it is important to distinguish and plant mindfully. 

Take a look at when to plant garlic based on the chosen variety and zones: 

1) Hardneck Garlic

• Hardneck garlic has a woody centre and is believed to be more flavorful and winter hardy. 
• If you live in a colder area, hardneck garlic is an ideal option for you.
• For people living in zones between 1 and 6, early October might work the best for you.
• Fall planting helps the bulbs go through a period of vernalization, which helps in the process of bulb formation. 

2) Softneck Garlic 

• Softneck garlic is a variety that is the most commonly available in the supermarket. 
• For people living in zones 8 and above, late October to December is the best time to plant garlic. 
• They are best suited for a warmer climate; hence, early spring can be an ideal option; however, fall works the best for either variety. 
• Softneck garlic also does not require a period of winter dormancy to produce bulbs, but they have a milder flavor compared to the other one.

What are the Growing Requirements for Garlic? 

The garlic bulbs thrive in full sun and require very little care while growing, which was a surprise to me, as I considered it a hassle to grow. 

Before diving into the garlic growing guide, take a look at its basic growing requirements: 

Sunlight	Full sun
Water	4 times a week
Soil Type	Well-draining soil with organic matter
Hardiness	USDA zones 3-8
Fertiliser	10-10-10 NPK fertilizer (slow-release)

How to Grow Garlic at Home?

Garlic is grown outdoors from bulbs rather than seeds because the seeds produced by its white flowers are very rarely used. 

Take a look at the planting guide for garlic that has worked for me over the years:  

1. Push down the garlic and break it down into cloves, then use the largest one to plant. 

2. Take the cloves and soak them in a baking soda solution to promote rapid growth.

3. Now, dig up the soil in the desired location and add organic matter or compost to the soil to stimulate growth. 

4. Sow them at least 2-3 inches deep in the soil with the pointed side upwards and the flat side downwards. Plant the bulbs at least 6 inches apart to avoid overcrowding. 

5. Cover up the bulbs with the soil gently and ensure there are no air pockets. 

6. Water it once or twice a week for the best results, but avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot. 

7. Feed the plant with a balanced 10-10-10 fertiliser or fish emulsion every 4 weeks in the growing season for the best results. 

8. It takes about 5-9 months to grow garlic before harvesting. 

How to Care for Garlic: 4 Essential Growing and Maintenance Tips

This perennial plant is surprisingly low-maintenance, as it survives the winter dormancy without much care. 

While winters go on unattended for them, some real care tips are essential while planting and in the spring for a good harvest. 

For the new garlic planters, here are my top 4 care tips for garlic:

1) Watering 

• The garlic bulbs, when planted, need minimal watering. 
• I water it 4 times a week in the growing season. 
• Remember not to overwater, as it can lead to root rot. 
• Reduce the watering significantly when the harvest is close, as the dry period helps the bulbs mature, and also, these plants are fairly drought-tolerant. 

2) Adequate Spacing 

• A fact about garlic is that it does not like competition, and hence, spacing becomes extremely significant. 
• I ensure a 4-inch gap between the individual bulbs to ensure even growth. 

Did you know?

Although garlic does not like competition, they are an excellent tomato companion plant. If you are confused about what to plant next to garlic, tomatoes might be a great option.

3) Mulching 

• Apply a layer of mulch on the soil while planting and in spring to suppress weeds and retain moisture, so the plant also does not die of underwatering. 
• Remove the weeds manually before it affects the plant’s growth. 

4) Fertiliser  

• Surprisingly, garlic is a heavy feeder and needs a dose of regularly. 
• Use a slow-release balanced fertilizer to boost the growth of garlic once every 4 weeks during the growing season.

When to Harvest Fall-Planted Garlic and Why Timing Matters

The best time to harvest garlic is around June or July, when half of the leaves have turned brown. Harvesting too late can make the bulbs root and reduce their shelf life. 

While softneck varieties are ready before the hardneck ones, the technique and the trick remain the same. 

Take a look at my harvesting guide for garlic:

1. Firstly, take a look at the garlic plants and look for the scape growth. 
2. Most of the gardeners snip off the scape as it shifts the focus from the leaf growth to the bulbs. 
3. Now, if ⅔ of the leaves have turned brown, the bulbs are ready to be harvested. 
4. Take a garden fork and gently remove the garlic from the soil. 
5. Store the garlic in a dry, well-ventilated area for about 3 weeks, but if you have harvested the garlic too late, you can use it right away. 

Gardening Tip

Look for the browning of leaves; if most of the leaves have dried and died, it means it’s too late to harvest. These garlic bulbs are often covered with just one papery white layer. Make sure you use them as soon as possible.

What are the Common Mistakes While Planting Garlic? 

Planting at the wrong time is one of the common mistakes made by new gardeners while growing garlic. 

While there are no fancy care steps, a few small mistakes can make a large difference, and therefore, here are some common garlic-growing mistakes that you must avoid with their solution: 

1. Spacing: Make sure the garlic bulbs are planted at least 4-6 inches apart from each other, as being too close to another plant leads to a bad harvest. 
2. Planting Depth: The garlic cloves are generally sown either too deep or close to the surface. An ideal depth is about 1-3 inches deep in the soil. 
3. Imbalance of Nutrients: Garlic, being a heavy feeder, thrives on constant feeding; therefore, adding organic compost to the soil while planting and balanced fertilizer during the growing season is a must. 
4. Not Removing Scapes: Scapes are the flowering heads of the plant, which divert the focus from bulb production. Hence, removing them will help in a better harvest. 
5. Planting Time: This is where many gardeners make a mistake because they plant the hardneck garlic in spring, which makes it rot and be underdeveloped. 

Remember, only softneck garlic can be planted in spring. 

Concluding Remarks 

More than growing garlic, knowing when to plant garlic is a much more important decision. When I started planting the garlic cloves, I came across various challenges like watering and depth, but with time, every step became easier. 

The only advice to novice gardeners growing garlic is that this winter plant is easy to care for if it’s planted and harvested at the right time, according to your locality; do not overdo any step, as it can lead to a poor harvest. 

FAQs