How to Grow Garlic (Planting, Care and Harvest Guide)
Garlic is one of the easiest crops you can grow. You plant it in fall, mostly forget about it over winter, and dig up fat, full bulbs the next summer. One clove turns into a whole head, and homegrown garlic often tastes stronger and fresher than what you buy.
Here is how to grow garlic from start to finish: when to plant, how deep and far apart, how to care for it, when to harvest and how to cure it so it keeps for months. There is also a section on growing garlic in pots.
Quick answer: To grow garlic, plant individual cloves in fall, about one to two weeks after the first hard frost. Set them pointed side up, 2 to 3 inches deep and about 4 to 6 inches apart, in full sun and well-drained soil. Cover with mulch for winter, feed lightly in spring, and remove the scapes on hardneck types. Harvest the next summer when the lower leaves start to turn brown, then cure the bulbs in a dry, airy spot for 3 to 4 weeks.
Hardneck vs. Softneck Garlic
| Type | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardneck | Cold winters | Grows a curly flower stalk (scape), bold flavor, fewer but larger cloves, stores 3 to 4 months |
| Softneck | Mild winters | Rarely flowers, more cloves per bulb, can be braided, stores 6 to 8 months |
| Elephant garlic | Mild flavor lovers | Actually a type of leek, with very large, mild cloves |
Storage times above come from University of Illinois Extension. If you live somewhere with real winters, hardneck usually does best. In warmer regions, softneck is the easier choice.
Can You Plant Grocery Store Garlic?
You can, but it is not ideal. Store garlic may be a variety suited to a different climate, and some is treated to stop sprouting. For the best results, buy seed garlic from a garden center or a local farm, and choose large, firm, healthy bulbs.
When to Plant Garlic
Garlic is planted in fall. University of Illinois Extension recommends planting about one to two weeks after the first killing frost. Oregon State University Extension gives a September to November window for milder areas. The cloves grow roots before the ground freezes, sit through winter, then take off in spring.
How to Plant Garlic Step by Step
- Choose the spot. Full sun and loose, well-drained soil. In heavy clay, use a raised bed.
- Prepare the soil. Mix in compost and a small amount of balanced fertilizer or bone meal a few inches below where the cloves will sit.
- Separate the cloves. Break the bulb apart just before planting. Keep the papery skins on and use the biggest cloves; big cloves grow big bulbs.
- Plant pointed side up. Push each clove 2 to 3 inches deep with the flat root end down.
- Space them out. About 4 to 6 inches between cloves and 10 to 14 inches between rows.
- Mulch. Cover the bed with a few inches of straw or shredded leaves to protect the cloves in winter and keep weeds down.
Caring for Garlic in Spring
- Feed: Oregon State suggests a nitrogen feed in early spring, like blood meal or pelleted chicken manure, and a light feeding again just before the bulbs swell.
- Water: Garlic needs about an inch of water a week while it is actively growing. Taper off watering as harvest gets close so the bulbs firm up.
- Weed: Garlic does not like competition. Keep the bed weeded and mulched.
- Cut the scapes: On hardneck garlic, snap off the curly flower stalks in late spring. This sends energy to the bulb. The scapes are tasty in stir-fries or pesto.
How Long Does Garlic Take to Grow?
Fall-planted garlic takes about 8 to 9 months to mature, so you will usually harvest in early to mid summer. Spring-planted garlic is possible but usually gives smaller bulbs.
When and How to Harvest Garlic
University of Illinois Extension says to harvest when the lower leaves start turning brown, ideally while about half of the leaves are still green. Harvest too early and the bulbs are small and do not store well. Wait too long and the cloves start to separate from the bulb. Oregon State suggests pulling one plant to check: the cloves should be plump with thick, papery skin around the bulb.
Loosen the soil with a garden fork a few inches away from the plant, then lift the bulbs gently. Do not yank them by the stems.
How to Cure and Store Garlic
- Brush off loose soil but do not wash the bulbs.
- Hang them in bunches or lay them out in a dry, shady, well-ventilated spot like a garage or porch.
- Let them cure for about 3 to 4 weeks, until the skins are papery and the necks are dry.
- Trim the stems to about an inch and cut the roots close to the bulb.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place with good airflow. Do not refrigerate.
- Save your biggest bulbs to plant next fall.
How to Grow Garlic in Pots
No garden? Garlic grows fine in containers. Use a pot at least 8 inches deep with drainage holes and good potting mix. Plant cloves 2 inches deep and about 4 inches apart. Keep the pot in full sun, water when the top inch of soil is dry, and protect it from hard freezes by moving it next to the house or into an unheated garage. Indoors on a windowsill, garlic usually only produces greens, which are still great for cooking.
Common Garlic Growing Problems
- Small bulbs: Usually from small cloves, crowding, too little sun or skipping scape removal.
- Rotting cloves: Soil that stays soggy. Improve drainage or use a raised bed.
- Yellow leaves in spring: Often a sign the plants need nitrogen.
- Bulbs split apart: Harvested too late.
Want more easy crops? See our guides on growing tomatoes in pots and planting tulip bulbs, which also go in the ground in fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant garlic in spring?
Yes, as early as the soil can be worked, but bulbs are often smaller because garlic needs a cold period to form full heads.
How deep should garlic be planted?
About 2 to 3 inches deep, pointed end up.
Does garlic need full sun?
Yes. At least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun gives the biggest bulbs.
Can I grow garlic from a single clove?
Yes. Every clove you plant grows into a whole new bulb.
How many garlic cloves should I plant?
Oregon State notes a 10-foot row can produce about 5 pounds of bulbs. For a family, 20 to 40 cloves is a good start.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to grow garlic is simple: plant big cloves in fall, pointed side up and 2 to 3 inches deep, mulch them for winter, and feed them in spring. Harvest when the lower leaves brown, cure the bulbs for a few weeks, and you will have garlic in the kitchen for months.
