Planting Garlic Bulbs

Now that you’ve done all the hard work, it’s time to plant! Be sure to remove all weeds from the garlic bed before planting and have some straw ready for mulching after you plant.

NOTE: This is part 4 in a series of 9 articles. For a complete background on how to grow garlic bulbs, we recommend starting from the beginning.

When to Plant

In warm climate zones, plant in the fall because the weather warms up too fast in the spring, resulting in small garlic bulbs. If you live in a cold climate, you can plant in the spring but fall planting gives the garlic a long dormant period (which equals strong root growth and larger bulbs). In addition, cold, wet spring soil can create rot and disease in garlic. Refer to the table below for planting times in your growing zone.

Climate ZoneEarliest Planting DateLatest Planting Date
0-3Late August to early SeptemberLate September
3-5Mid to late SeptemberEarly to mid October
5-7Early to mid OctoberLate October
7-9Late OctoberNovember
9-10Late OctoberDecember

Fertilize First!

As mentioned in the Soil Preparation section, fertilizer goes in first, before planting, rather than on top after planting. Do not sprinkle additional fertilizer over the soil immediately after planting.

Depth/Spacing

Oddly enough, climate is the main factor that determines how to plant garlic. Planting too deep in a warmer climate can encourage mold and disease; planting too shallowly in a cold climate will result in damaged cloves that will not grow.

  • Desert climate: Set cloves on top of the soil.
  • Tropical/deep-southern states: Plant cloves 1-1/2 to 2 inches deep, then cover with 6 to 8 inches of clean straw.
  • Middle latitudes that get cold but not severe winters: Plant 3 to 4 inches deep and cover with 6-8" of clean straw or organic mulch.
  • In far northern climates (like Michigan and New England) the cloves need more protection. Plant the cloves 5 to 6 inches deep and cover with 6 to 8 inches of clean straw.

For most softneck and hardneck varieties, allow 4 to 6 inches between cloves. Elephant garlic requires 8 to 10 inches. If you have more than 1 row, space rows 10-12 inches apart.

Planting Tips

  • Plant the cloves with the pointy end up, cover with soil to the appropriate depth. Leave the thin paper coating on the clove.
  • Mulch with 6" of straw (or untreated grass clippings).
  • Water thoroughly.

In 8 or 9 months, you will have fully-formed garlic bulbs!

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