If you are wondering when to plant garlic, the short answer is fall. Garlic is one of the few vegetables you plant in the autumn and reap the rewards the following summer, and the timing is key to growing large bulbs.

Plant too early and the cloves will produce tall green shoots which are damaged by the winter, while planting too late means the roots get little time to establish themselves before the ground freezes. By planting at the right time, the garlic will remain resting in the soil during the winter and wake in the spring to grow into large, firm bulbs.

In this guide you will learn the best time to plant garlic where you are, the step by step process of planting it, how deep and far apart the cloves need to be, which variety to plant, and how to look after it from the depths of winter to your summer harvest. You will also learn how to grow garlic in pots. All of it is written in simple language so that even first time gardeners can understand.

The Short Answer: When Is the Best Time to Plant Garlic?

For most of us, the best time for planting garlic in the fall is between 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes. In most of the U.S. that is October to early November.

A simple rule of thumb is to plant when the soil has cooled to around 60 °F or less but is not too wet or hard to work. At this point the cloves will have time to grow roots, but the weather is still too chilly to produce much in the way of leaves.

The reason garlic needs to be planted in the fall is that it needs a period of cold weather to form a proper bulb with all the cloves. The roots grow in the fall, the plant rests during the winter, and then it grows leaves in the spring and finishes maturing the bulb over the summer. If you miss this period of cold weather, you will end up with a small bulb that has not formed proper cloves.

When to Plant Garlic According to Your Area

Your local climate plays an important role in deciding when to plant garlic. Colder areas should plant earlier, while warm areas should wait until it starts to get cooler. Here is a brief guide for each region:

These are only guidelines, as the weather can change from one year to the next. The ground usually freezes a few weeks after the first frost date, so it is a good idea to check your average first frost date. If you are not sure about your zone, you can find it by entering your ZIP code in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Can You Plant Garlic in the Spring?

Yes, it is possible to plant in the spring, but the bulbs will tend to be smaller as they do not have enough time to form a good sized bulb before the summer heat sets in.

If planting in the spring is your only option, these pointers will help:

• Plant as early as possible, as soon as the ground can be worked without it being too wet or frozen.
• If possible, use softneck garlic, as it can handle a light period of cold better than hardneck varieties.
• Chill the cloves in the fridge for 4 to 6 weeks before planting, as this simulates winter dormancy.
• Expect a smaller harvest, which will be ready in late summer.

If you missed the fall planting window, it is still possible to plant in early winter so long as the ground is not frozen. Make sure to cover the bed with a thick layer of mulch and the garlic should do well.

Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic: What to Plant

Before you plant, it is a good idea to know that there are two main types of garlic.

Here is a quick recap so you know which one to choose:

• Cold weather areas: plant hardneck.
• Warm weather areas: plant softneck.
• Storing garlic is a priority: plant softneck.
• You want scapes and more flavor: plant hardneck.
• You are not sure: plant a little bit of each and see which one you like.

Where to Get Garlic Bulbs for Planting

When shopping for garlic bulbs to plant, always look for “seed garlic,” which is sold specifically for planting. You can find it at your local nursery, farmers market or trusted online seed companies. Popular varieties sell out fast, so it is a good idea to order your seed garlic in late summer or early fall.

Garlic from the grocery store is usually imported, may have been treated so that it will not sprout, and may carry diseases that you do not want in your soil. It is possible that it will grow, but it may not be worth the risk. Garlic from a local organic farm is a safer bet.

When choosing bulbs, always go with large, firm, rounded ones with tight skin. Avoid loose, moldy, shriveled or bruised bulbs. If you are new to planting garlic, it is a good idea to start small. One or two bulbs of each variety should be enough, as one bulb can have anywhere between 4 to 20 cloves depending on the variety.

Preparing the Planting Site

Garlic is not picky, but there are a few things you need to do before planting.

• Sun: Choose a sunny area that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.
• Soil: Garlic prefers loose, well-drained soil. The cloves will rot in heavy, wet soil. To improve heavy clay, consider a raised bed or add a good amount of compost to it. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Compost: Add 2 to 3 inches of compost to the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. If you do not have any compost, our guide on what to compost will help you get started. Avoid fresh manure, as it can burn the cloves and introduce weed seeds.
• Weeds: Make sure to clear the site of all weeds.
• Rotation: Do not plant garlic where you planted garlic or other alliums in the past 3 years.

Garlic grows well with tomatoes, carrots, beets and lettuce, but not with peas or beans. See our vegetable garden layout and companion planting guide for more information.

How to Plant Garlic Step by Step

Mulching and Winter Care

Mulch acts as a blanket for your garlic bed. Apply a layer of 3 to 6 inches of straw or shredded leaves after planting. Avoid using hay, as it often contains weed seeds.

There are three main reasons for mulching:

• It protects the cloves from extreme cold and temperature swings.
• It helps the soil retain moisture.
• It suppresses weeds.

For more ideas on how to cover your plants on a cold night, see our guide on how to protect plants from frost.

Spring Care: Water, Fertilize and Weed

As the plants start to show signs of new growth, remove any thick mulch and leave a thin layer to help retain moisture and prevent weeds.

• Water: Provide about 1 inch of water per week if it is not raining. Garlic has shallow roots and will suffer in dry conditions. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Stop watering 2 to 3 weeks before the harvest.
• Fertilize: Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer such as compost, fish emulsion or blood meal in early spring. You can repeat it once more in 3 to 4 weeks. Stop fertilizing in late May or early June, when the bulbs start to swell. Feeding after that point encourages leaf growth and smaller bulbs.
• Weeding: Hand weeding is the best option for removing weeds. Garlic has shallow roots, and digging or hoeing around the plants can damage them.

If you planted hardneck garlic, you will see curly stalks start to form in early summer. These are called scapes and should be cut off when they form one or two loops. This redirects the plant’s energy into the bulb rather than the flower. Scapes are edible and mildly garlicky, and they are a good addition to pesto, stir-fries or scrambled eggs.

Growing Garlic in Pots and Containers

Even if you do not have a garden, you can still grow garlic in pots. Here is how:

• Pot size: Go with a pot that is at least 10 to 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide with good drainage. The bigger the pot, the bigger the bulb.
• Soil: Use a good potting mix with added compost.
• Planting: Plant the cloves 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart, pointy end up.
• Location: Keep the pot outside in a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sun per day. Garlic will not form bulbs without the cold winter weather. In very cold areas, you can cover the soil with mulch and place the pot against a sheltered wall.
• Watering: Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Pots tend to dry out faster than the garden.
• Expectation: Expect a slightly smaller yield from pot-grown garlic than from garlic grown in the ground.

If you are new to growing in pots, our guide to growing herbs in containers has helpful information on the type of soil to use, drainage and watering.

Can You Grow Garlic Indoors or in Water?

If you put a clove of garlic in a glass of water or a pot of soil on your windowsill, it will start to sprout green shoots. However, it will not form a bulb, as it needs the cold of winter combined with lots of sun to do so. The shoots can be used like chives. Simply snip them and use them in salads, soups and eggs.

When and How to Harvest Garlic

Garlic planted in the fall is ready to be harvested 8 to 9 months later. That is to say, between late June and August, depending on where you are, and a little earlier in warmer areas.

There are a few signs that will tell you it is time to harvest. The lower 3 or 4 leaves have turned brown and dried up, while the top 5 or 6 leaves are still green. If you harvest too early, the bulb will be too small, while waiting too long can split the bulb open and cause the papery skin to loosen.

Harvest the bulbs by digging them up. Avoid pulling the plants, as this can loosen the bulb and damage it. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil and gently lift the bulbs out. Make sure to brush off the dirt.

Curing and Storing Garlic

Garlic needs to be cured before storing. Bundle the plants in small bunches or lay them out on a rack in a shady, well-ventilated area for 2 to 4 weeks. Once the necks have dried up and the outer skin is papery, cut off the roots and stems and store the bulbs in a cool, dark, dry place with good air circulation. Hardneck garlic will store for 4 to 6 months and softneck for 8 to 12 months.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Planting too early: Warm weather will cause the cloves to produce lots of green shoots that will be damaged by the winter.
• Planting too late: The roots will not have enough time to grow before the ground freezes.
• Planting too shallow: The cloves can be pushed out of the soil or damaged by frost.
• Planting cloves upside down: The shoots will take longer to appear and the bulb can be weaker.
• Soggy soil: Cloves planted in soggy soil will rot. Raised beds or adding compost to the soil will help.
• No mulching: Exposed cloves are more susceptible to temperature changes, frost and weeds.
• Planting small cloves: Small cloves usually produce small bulbs.
• Crowding the plants: Cloves need room to grow into bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions