Get Ready for Garlic...
Plan Now For This Fall's Planting!
Now is the perfect time to plan your garlic—whether you grow it yourself or advise others—by prepping for a fall planting that results in a bountiful, flavorful harvest next summer. Here’s what your community needs to know:
🕒 When to Plant
Best timing: Plant garlic in the fall, ideally 4–6 weeks before first hard frost, or shortly after the autumnal equinox—typically between mid-September and mid-November, depending on your zone Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners+12Almanac.com+12Welcome to Jung Seed’s Gardening Blog!+12Finch + Folly.
By zone guide:
Zone 4–5: aim for mid-to-late October
Zone 6: mid-October to early November
Zone 7+: planting can be delayed into November or early December Tomato Junction+3Seed to Fork+3Epic Gardening+3John Boy Farms.
🌿 How to Plant Garlic
Step-by-step:
Choose good seed garlic – use certified, untreated bulbs from reliable sources; avoid grocery store garlic Edible Ohio Valley+14Southern Living+14Homes and Gardens+14.
Break bulbs into cloves; select the largest for planting.
Plant clove tip-side up, 2 inches deep, and 4–6 inches apart Almanac.com+1Penn State Extension+1Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners+1Penn State Extension+1.
Cover with 4–6 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or pine mulch to insulate A Life Well Planted+8Penn State Extension+8Edible Ohio Valley+8.
🌬️ Why Timing Matters
Garlic needs cold exposure (vernalization)—typically 4–8 weeks below 40°F—to form bulbs by next summer Tomato Junction+2Epic Gardening+2SeedSavers+2. Planting too early may cause green shoots that risk frost damage; planting too late prevents adequate root development. Aim to let roots establish before the ground freezes Iowa Public Radio+3Finch + Folly+3Edible Ohio Valley+3.
🌞 Care & Harvest Tips
In spring, when shoots emerge, remove mulch gradually to allow sunlight and support growth Real Simple.
Provide 1 inch of water per week during bulb formation Welcome to Jung Seed’s Gardening Blog!+15Almanac.com+15SeedSavers+15.
When scapes appear on hardneck garlic, remove them to encourage bulb growth Tomato Junction+14Almanac.com+14SeedSavers+14.
Harvest when the lower 1/3 of leaves turn brown—usually late June to mid-July Almanac.com+1Reddit+1.
🌟 Why It Matters
Fall-planted garlic produces larger, more flavorful bulbs compared to spring planting YouTube+5A Life Well Planted+5Welcome to Jung Seed’s Gardening Blog!+5.
Mulching prevents winter heaving, suppresses weeds, and retains moisture Homes and Gardens+1SeedSavers+1.
Proper timing and care lead to healthy garlic and a reliable springtime harvest.
✅ Quick Reference Table
StepActionTimingMid‑Sep to mid‑Nov, 4–6 weeks before frostSoilRich, loose, well‑drainingPlanting2″ deep, 4–6″ spacing, tip upMulch4–6″ straw/leavesSpring CareRemove mulch, water, snip scapesHarvestLate June–July when browning begins
Planting soon ensures your garlic will overwinter with strong roots and deliver lush, aromatic bulbs next summer.
Until next time...
I am...
Phil Wilson...
And, Here’s to Living an Herbal Lifestyle With You!