Garlic thrives in well-drained, rich soil. Work a 1-2 inch layer of compost into beds before planting. Divide garlic bulbs into cloves just before planting, and keep as much garlic skin on as possible. Do not peel. Plant cloves at 6” apart, 2-3” deep. Make sure to plant the garlic clove with the tip facing upwards towards the sky, and the root downwards into the ground. Mulch with several inches of straw.Plant 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes in Northern regions, or plant as late as March in regions without a freeze. In colder regions, apply another inch or two of compost in the spring to boost the garlic’s growth. As harvest time approaches (begin checking in the late June), reduce or stop watering to prevent mold on the bulb. It is recommended to harvest the green shoots, or scapes, to allow the plant to focus more energy on finishing growing a great garlic bulb. Use scapes in stir fries, eat raw in salads for a delicious garlicky bite! Harvest the bulbs when the top 4-5 leaves are slightly green and the lower leaves are dry. Each leaf represents one layer of skin over the bulb. Dry and cure the bulbs in a dry, cool, shaded location for 3-4 weeks, and then cut the foliage and root hairs from the bulbs. Store in a cool, dry place. Soil pH 6-7.
Planting Depth
2-3”Plant Spacing
4-6”Row Spacing
6-8”Moist Well Drained Soil