Fall

Growing Garlic

Growing your own garlic is certainly worthwhile. It requires a long growing season but the flavor is well worth the time it takes.

Choosing Garlic Varieties

• ✓Select hardneck garlic (like Music, Russian Red, Bogatyr), they thrive in cold climates.
• ✓Avoid softneck varieties, as they don't overwinter well in northern zones.

When to Plant

• ✓Plant in the fall, 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes.
• ✓In Zone 3, this is typically late September to mid-October.
• ✓Fall planting allows garlic to root before winter and sprout in spring.

Site & Soil Prep

• ✓Choose a sunny location with 6-8 hours of direct light daily.
• ✓Soil should be loose, fertile, and well-draining.
• ✓Work in compost or aged manure before planting to enrich the soil.
• ✓Ideal soil pH: 6.0-7.0.

Planting Garlic

• ✓Break apart garlic bulbs into individual cloves right before planting.
• ✓Plant cloves pointy side up, 2-3 inches deep.
• ✓Space cloves 4-6 inches apart, with 12-18 inches between rows.

Mulching for Winter

• ✓After planting, cover with 4-6 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or hay.
• ✓Mulch protects from deep freezes and prevents soil heaving.
• ✓In spring, leave mulch in place, it helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Watering

• ✓Garlic likes consistent moisture but not soggy soil.
• ✓Water deeply once a week in spring and early summer if rainfall is low.
• ✓Stop watering 2 weeks before harvest to allow bulbs to cure in the ground.

Fertilizing

• ✓Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer (like blood meal or fish emulsion) in early spring to support leaf growth.
• ✓Side-dress with compost or fertilizer again in mid-spring if growth is slow.

Scapes (for Hardneck Garlic)

• ✓In early summer, garlic sends up curly flower stalks called scapes.
• ✓Cut them off when they curl, this directs energy back into the bulb.
• ✓Bonus: scapes are edible and delicious!

Harvesting and Curing

• ✓Harvest mid-summer (late July to early August), when the bottom 1/3-1/2 of leaves have turned brown.
• ✓Loosen soil carefully and lift bulbs by hand (don't pull by the stems).
• ✓Cure garlic in a dry, airy, shaded spot for 2-3 weeks until skins are papery.
• ✓Store cured garlic in a cool, dry place, lasts 6-8 months. It can be hung in bundles or placed on wire mesh racks.