Planting garlic adds flavor to many well-loved dishes. That’s why it’s important to learn the right time for growing garlic in your zone.
One mistake gardeners make is planting garlic at the wrong time. Knowing the right time will result in larger bulbs and make the whole process an enjoyable success!
Garlic is planted in the fall, by separating each clove from the bulb, placing the pointed end up and covering with soil. To keep the soil moist in hotter climates a heavy mulch helps. Your new garlic bulb will be ready to harvest in summer. After harvesting and cleaning your bed, you can plant a new crop of garlic in it place.
As an addition to your harvest, you can also enjoy the garlic leaves and “scapes” in spring, while the bulbs are still growing. I used them in stir-fries and salads.
General Guidelines for Planting Garlic:
Zones 0-3: Plant garlic in early to late September. Garlic can grow well in cold climates including some parts of Alaska.
Zone 3-5: Plant garlic in late September to early October.
Zones 5-7: Plant in mid to late October.
Zones 7-9: Plant in late October into November.
Zones 9-10: Plant from late October into December. Make sure to select garlic types (like softnecks) that need less cold vernalization to develop bulbs.
Here’s a Few Growing Tips :
Vernalization triggers garlic to break dormancy and develop its bulb.
If you live in zone 9, as I do, placing your garlic (whole bulbs) in the fridge for about a month before planting will allow it to go through the process and give you a greater chance at growing success.
Garlic likes moist soil, not wet.
Weeds will overtake your crop, so keep an eye on them, and stop watering 4-6 weeks before harvesting.
If you choose to grow in the ground or pots, growing Garlic in your garden will always be a tasty addition to your fall season.
Aside from its wonderful flavor, Planting garlic helps repel many pests that would normally take up residence in your garden.
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