How To Grow Garlic

Garlic is a delicious, versatile ingredient found in many dishes that can be grown in your own home. Growing garlic is easy and it doesn’t take up a lot of space. By following a few guidelines you can have your own fresh garlic harvest every summer.

1. Select a Site

Choose a spot in your garden with good drainage and plenty of access to sunshine. Garlic prefers a slightly acidic soil and does best if it has access to at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

1. Prepare the Soil

Before planting, loosen the top 4-8 inches of soil adding compost or unsalted manure into the soil, if available. Garlic thrives in soil that is well-draining and nutrient rich.

1. Plant the Garlic

Avoid planting your garlic too early in the year as the ground needs to be cooler than room temperature for the best results. Plant individual cloves 4-6 inches apart, pushing the bulbs 1-2 inches into the soil, with the pointy side up. Don’t worry if the bulb breaks apart while planting.

1. Watering

Water regularly to keep the soil moist but avoid over-watering. If possible, wait a few days after planting until your garlic sprouts, then water your garlic once a week or so.

1. Mulch

After the garlic sprouts, mulch the area with hay or straw to regulate the temperature and conserve moisture.

1. Fertilizing

Fertilize your garlic with a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks.

1. Harvest

Harvest when the top leaves start to turn yellow and fall over. To harvest delve down into the soil and carefully pull up the bulb and its roots. Place the garlic in a cool, dry spot (or you can hang it, if you have the room). Let the garlic cure by laying it out in a single layer, with good air flow, for 3 weeks.

With just a little effort you can have a plentiful garlic harvest each summer, with garlic that tastes better than store-bought. Enjoy!