How to Plant & Fertilize Garlic Correctly

Garlic is a perennial member of the onion family, familiar to most people as a culinary spice. The plant is native to Asia, but it can be grown in temperate regions around the world. Garlic is easy to plant and grow, but it requires a strict fertilization regimen to ensure that the plants receive the appropriate nutrients. Garlic plants are heavy feeders, using up the nutrients in the soil quickly, even in a rich patch of soil. Keeping garlic bulbs well-fertilized and using the proper care techniques will yield a large, healthy crop of garlic during the summer months.

Organic compost
Garden tiller
Bloodmeal

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a planting site for garlic that receives four to six hours of direct sunlight each day. Spread a 1-inch layer of organic compost over the planting site, and use a garden tiller to incorporate it into the soil to increase fertility and drainage.
- 2
  Plant garlic during March or April to allow the plant to fully develop before harvesting. Dig a hole about 1 inch deep, and set a garlic clove into the hole with the pointed side up. Space garlic cloves approximately 3 to 5 inches apart to allow room for growth.
- 3
  Fertilize garlic in early spring, shortly after planting, using bloodmeal, a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer. Work the bloodmeal into the soil along the side of each garlic plant to avoid nitrogen burn. Use the dosage recommended by the manufacturer.
- 4
  Feed garlic again in late May when the cloves begin to swell to encourage additional growth. Broadcast the bloodmeal across the planting site to ensure uniform distribution. Use ½ cup of bloodmeal for every 5 square feet of soil for the best results.
- 5
  Plant garlic the following year in a different location, as the previous site will be sapped of nutrients. Pick an area where no crops were grown the previous year to ensure that the soil is fertile enough to grow garlic.

How to Plant, Grow & Harvest Garlic

Garlic Bulbs With the Best Flavor

Growing Garlic