key takeaways
- Garlic cloves take 250-270 days to mature into a large bulb.
- The largest and most delicious garlic is planted in the fall, although it can also be planted in the spring.
- Softneck garlic varieties grow best in mild winters, while hardneck garlic varieties can withstand freezing temperatures.
Garlic is used to flavor dishes around the world and is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. However, to get the largest and tastiest bulbs, you need to be patient.
Learn how long it takes to grow this cool weather vegetable.
How long does it take for garlic to grow?
It takes 250 to 270 days (8 to 9 months) for a clove of garlic to mature into a large bulb. As a cool season vegetable, cloves require a period of winter dormancy or cold to fully develop.
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when to plant garlic
Both Hardneck and Softneck Garlic It is best to plant in the fall, 3 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes. Timing will depend on your USDA hardiness zone.
Cloves planted individually will produce roots and minimal shoot growth before going dormant. Growth resumes in spring and bulbs develop, ready to harvest In the middle of summer.
If you forget the autumn planting period, cloves can be planted in the spring, but this will produce smaller bulbs. if you plan Plant garlic in early springChill the cloves between 32°F and 50°F for two months before planting.
Garlic care in autumn and winter
Here’s how to best care for your garlic during the colder months for the tastiest harvest.
Fall
Before you plant the first cloves, make sure the soil in the garden bed is well-drained and rich in nutrients by adding compost.
Plant the cloves six inches apart, in double rows with the ends pointing up, with the base of the cloves 2 to 3 inches above the soil surface. Cover the newly planted bed with 3 to 4 inches of leaf or straw mulch; This helps control weeds and also keeps the soil temperature higher.
In warmer climates, tender shoots may emerge before the first frost. If this occurs, weed control is necessary to prevent new growth from being destroyed. It is best to weed by hand to avoid damaging newly planted cloves.
winter
Garlic requires little or no care during the winter months while growth is dormant.
Do not water the garlic bed unless there is a severe drought. Excessive moisture can cause the developing bulbs to rot. Resume regular watering in the spring as plant growth resumes.
Once the threat of hard freezes has passed, you can remove the mulch to help warm the soil. Or, leave it in place to help with weed control and conserve soil moisture.
Popular Varieties of Garlic
You may think that all garlic tastes the same, but here are some popular varieties you can grow in your garden.
hardneck garlic
Hardneck garlic varieties are generally more hardy than softneck varieties. Hardneck garlic typically has fewer, but larger, cloves per bulb than softneck varieties.
- Romacambole Hardneck Garlic Best suited to cool growing regions and has a distinctive flower stalk that forms a coil after emerging in spring. Cloves can be reddish-brown in color and full flavored. Varieties include ‘Amish’, ‘Spanish Rosa’, ‘German Red’ and ‘Killarney Red’.
- Continental Hardneck Garlic Another good choice for cold growing regions. These varieties produce purple-striped, symmetrical bulbs with cloves that have some purple color. Cultivars include ‘Morasol’, ‘Siberian’, ‘Korean Red’ and ‘Brown Tempest’.
- porcelain hard neck garlic A classic garlic with a hard, paper-white, shiny covering and thick, large cloves. This is a good choice for gardeners in hot areas. Varieties include ‘Music’, ‘Stull’, ‘Georgian Fire’ and ‘Vostani’.
soft garlic
Softneck garlic varieties are best for gardeners in mild climates. They mature more quickly and are better suited for long-term storage than hardier varieties.
- Artichoke Softneck Garlic Many cloves are produced per head (14 to 20) and it is a favorite of commercial garlic growers. Cultivars include ‘Corsican Red’, ‘Red Toch’, ‘Acropolis Greek’, ‘Texas Rose’ and ‘Corsican Red’.
- Silverskin Softneck Garlic The varieties have the best storage characteristics. The bulbs may be brown, white or purple. Cultivars include ‘Shantung Purple’, ‘Rose Du War’, ‘Silver Rose’, ‘Idaho Silver’ and ‘Silverwhite’.
