Garlic

Garlic needs loose, well-drained soil around pH 6.0-7.0 enriched with compost. Feed with nitrogen as spring growth begins, stop nitrogen feeding as bulbs form, and keep weeds out of its shallow root zone.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Light; stop 2 weeks before harvest

Spacing

6 in

First harvest

240+ days

Tips

• Plant individual cloves pointed end up, with their tops about 2 inches below the soil and 6 inches apart.
• Mulch after planting and pull mulch back if spring soil stays excessively wet.
• Provide about 1 inch of water weekly during active growth, then stop watering as harvest approaches and leaves begin drying.
• Cut hardneck scapes after they curl, and inspect leaves for rust or premature yellowing from disease.
• Lift bulbs when the lower third to half of the leaves have browned but several upper leaves remain green, then cure in airy shade.

Plant healthy seed-garlic cloves in fall, about 4-6 weeks before the ground typically freezes.

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