Experience garlic Freshness at Home

Timing: Plant in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before ground freezes (typically late October in most temperate zones).
Garlic type: Use seed garlic (not grocery store garlic). Separate bulbs into individual cloves.
Bed prep:
- Loosen soil to at least 8" deep.
- Mix in compost and well-rotted manure.
- Ensure soil is well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0).
Spacing:
- Plant cloves pointy side up, 2" deep.
- Space cloves 4–6" apart, rows 12" apart.
Mulch: Apply 3–6" of straw or leaf mulch after planting to insulate and suppress weeds.

Fall: Mix a balanced organic fertilizer (e.g. 5-5-5) into the soil before planting.
Spring:
Once shoots emerge, apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like blood meal or fish emulsion).
Side-dress again in late April/early May if needed.
Avoid fertilizing after scapes emerge to encourage bulb formation over leaf growth.

Garlic needs consistent moisture during bulb formation.
Spring–early summer:
Provide 1" of water/week, more in dry spells.
Late June–July:
Reduce watering about 2 weeks before harvest to avoid rot and help bulbs cure properly.

When: Late spring to early summer (typically late May–mid June), when scapes curl once.
How:
Snap or cut scapes near the base before the second curl forms.
Removing scapes diverts energy back to bulb growth.
Use: Scapes are edible—use in pesto, stir-fries, or pickles.