How to Grow the Stinking Rose

Prepare for Planting

• 1

  Prepare the garlic beds by tilling the soil with a hand trowel. Garlic thrives in loose, well-drained soil.

• 2

  Test the soil with a pH testing kit, available at hardware stores or garden centers. Aim for a pH between 6 and 7. Add the necessary soil amendments to reach the optimal pH level. For instance, aluminum sulfate and sulfur lower soil pH levels, while limestone raises it.

• 3

  Purchase garlic bulbs specifically meant for growing from a distributor or garden center. Select a variety meant for your area's climate. Avoid supermarket garlic cloves unless you can confirm the garlic will grow well in your climate.

• 4

  Break apart the garlic bulbs into cloves two days before planting. Each clove will grow another whole bulb.

Plant Stinking Rose

• 5

  Dig holes 6 inches apart and 3 inches deep for the garlic cloves.

• 6

  Insert the cloves, pointed side up, into the holes. Cover with soil. Water the ground thoroughly.

• 7

  Lay about 3 inches of straw or leaf mulch on top of the beds to protect the garlic and for weed control. Remove the mulch in the spring unless you live in a dry area. The mulch will help the beds retain moisture and therefore should not be used in spring in an already wet area.

• 8

  Monitor the beds for signs of weeds. Garlic does not compete well against weeds, so remove any weeds immediately.

• 9

  Water the beds weekly once spring arrives. Soak the plants with about 1 inch of water. Stop watering two weeks before harvesting to prevent bulb rot.

• 10

  Harvest the garlic bulbs when the above-ground stalk is mostly brown and dry, with about a half-dozen green leaves left. Insert a hand trowel under the bulb and pull up on the stalk to release the bulb from the ground. Keep the stalks and roots intact.

• 11

  Hang the stalks in a warm, dry area for four weeks to cure the garlic. Cut off the roots and stalks and use the garlic how you wish.