How to Separate Garlic Cloves for Planting

Select a planting location during the fall that is located in full sunlight. Work compost or aged manure into the soil until it feels crumbly to the touch.

Dig a trench that is approximately 4 inches deep. Plant the garlic cloves three to four weeks before the first expected hard frost in the fall.

Divide the garlic bulbs into individual cloves two days prior to planting. Gently pry the bulb apart with your hands.

Remove the large outer cloves first by prying them away from the inner cloves. The larger cloves produce a larger, healthier garlic plant when planted. Discard the tiny inner cloves because they only grow a small, weak plant.

Look closely at each clove. Discard any cloves that appear soft or have spotting.

Set the cloves aside on a plate until planting. Plant each clove in the trench with the pointed end skyward. Space the cloves 3 to 5 inches apart. Push the soil around the and over the cloves so they sit at a depth of 4 inches. Firm the soil over the top of the cloves.

Mulch the planting site with straw, leaf debris or pine needles after the ground freezes. Applying mulch will help prevent the soil from heaving during the winter months, offer protection from excessively cold weather and prevent weed growth.