Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops you can grow in your garden or even in containers. With just a few cloves and a bit of care, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown garlic for months. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to plant garlic, from choosing the right variety to harvesting and storing it.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, garlic is a low-maintenance crop with big benefits — culinary, medicinal, and even pest-repelling.
🧄 What Is Garlic and Why Grow It?
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulb-forming plant in the onion family. It’s used worldwide in cooking and is known for its strong flavor and health benefits. Garlic is also:
- Rich in antioxidants and natural antibiotics
- Great for soil rotation in vegetable gardens
- Resistant to many pests and diseases
- Simple to grow, even in small spaces
Unlike many vegetables, garlic is planted in the fall or early spring and harvested in mid to late summer.
Types of Garlic You Can Plant
There are two main types of garlic to choose from:
1. Hardneck Garlic
- Best for cold climates
- Stronger flavor
- Produces scapes (edible flower stalks)
- Shorter shelf life (3–6 months)
2. Softneck Garlic
- Grows well in mild climates
- Longer storage (6–9 months)
- Milder flavor
- Does not produce scapes
💡 Tip: If you live in a warm region (like USDA zones 7–10), go for softneck garlic. For colder zones, hardneck is ideal.
How to Plant Garlic: Step-by-Step
1. Choose Your Garlic
Use organic garlic bulbs from a nursery or seed supplier. Supermarket garlic is often treated and may not sprout.
2. Break the Bulb Into Cloves
Gently separate the bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin intact. Only plant the largest and healthiest cloves.
3. Prepare the Soil
Garlic prefers:
- Loamy, well-drained soil
- Full sun exposure (6–8 hours/day)
- Soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Amend with compost before planting.
4. Plant the Cloves
- Depth: 2 inches (5 cm)
- Spacing: 6 inches apart (15 cm)
- Orientation: Pointy side up
Cover with soil and mulch heavily with straw or leaves to protect from frost.
5. Water and Wait
Water right after planting and keep soil slightly moist (but not soggy). Garlic requires minimal watering once established.
Garlic Maintenance Tips
- Fertilize with nitrogen-rich compost or organic fertilizer in early spring.
- Weed regularly — garlic hates competition.
- Cut scapes (flower stalks) from hardneck garlic in early summer to redirect energy to bulb growth.
🌾 When and How to Harvest Garlic
Signs It’s Time to Harvest
- Lower leaves start to turn yellow or brown
- Top leaves remain green (ideal stage)
- Typically 8–9 months after planting
Harvesting Tips
- Use a garden fork to gently lift the bulbs
- Don’t pull — this can damage the neck
- Brush off dirt and do not wash until ready to use
How to Cure and Store Garlic
Curing
- Hang or lay bulbs in a dry, airy place out of direct sunlight for 2–3 weeks
- Leave stalks and roots attached during curing
Storage
- Store in mesh bags or baskets in a cool, dry, dark place
- Softneck garlic can last up to 9 months
- Hardneck garlic: use within 6 months
💡 Never refrigerate uncured garlic — it will sprout!
🌿 Benefits of Growing Garlic at Home
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| 🍽 Culinary | Fresh, flavorful cloves year-round |
| 💪 Health | Rich in allicin, supports immune system |
| 🪰 Pest Control | Repels aphids, snails, and spider mites |
| 🧺 Storage | Long-lasting and cost-saving |
Bonus: Can You Grow Garlic in Containers?
Yes! Garlic grows well in pots at least 8 inches deep with good drainage. Use loose potting soil, space cloves 4–6 inches apart, and keep in a sunny spot. Perfect for balconies or small patios.
Final Thoughts – How to plant garlic
Growing garlic at home is easy, affordable, and deeply satisfying. Whether in your garden bed or a balcony container, garlic rewards you with rich flavor, health benefits, and simple joy. With just a few cloves, you can transform your meals and add value to your garden space.
