How to Plant & Grow Garlic

Although it is native to Central Asia, garlic has been cultivated for centuries in a variety of climates due to its culinary and medicinal uses. The plant is part of the allium family, which includes onions, shallots and leeks. The large outer garlic cloves tend to have the best taste. Garlic is usually divided into two types: hardneck and softneck. Softneck garlic is the kind typically found in grocery stores and is also easiest to grow. Hardneck garlic has fewer cloves and may lack an outer white skin, which decreases its shelf life. Both kinds can be easily planted at home.

Fertilizer
Garlic clove

Instructions

- 1
  Select your soil site. Garlic prefers fertile, loamy soils in a sunny location. Fertilize the soil with 3 lbs. of 10-10-10 or 10-20-10 fertilizer for every 100 square feet, and supplement clay soils with organic matter for increased drainage.
- 2
  Pick your garlic clove for planting. Separate the clove immediately before planting for optimal growth. Large outer cloves tend to produce the highest-quality plants.
- 3
  Place the garlic clove upright in the soil, with the skinny side facing upward. Cover it with 1/2 inch to 1 inch of soil. If you are planting multiple rows, space the cloves 4 to 5 inches apart and the rows 12 to 30 inches apart.
- 4
  Water the garlic bulbs frequently until they are established. Continue to keep soil moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot. When the plant is mature, let the soil dry out between waterings.
- 5
  Harvest garlic when the tops begin to dry and turn yellow or brown. This usually happens in late summer. Most garlic varieties mature within eight months of planting.

How to Grow Garlic Indoors

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Growing Garlic