How to Plant Garlic: A Quick Guide

Garlic is the one essential ingredient for any meal that I can't do without. As grocery costs rise, so does the price of garlic, now $1.50 per bulb. One clove of garlic will garnish a single bulb, providing you with a year-long supply for a small investment. Growing your own garlic also opens you up to a larger variety for cooking, not just the one or two generic options available at the store.

But don’t just grow garlic for cooking; it is one of the best pest preventions available, and can be easily tucked in between your other vegetables, warding off aphids, rodents, and cabbage moths, among other pests that try to eat away at your harvest.

If you want a nice garlic crop for next summer, the secret is to plant this fall. It’s one of fall's simplest tasks with huge rewards the following summer.

Step 1: Buy “Seed” Stock Garlic

At your local nursery or online seed store, softneck garlic performs better in a mild climate. If you reside in a colder climate, opt for a hardneck garlic variety instead. Resist the temptation to buy garlic at the grocery store, as it will not yield the same results as seed stock. Separate the cloves from the bulb, leaving the skins on.

Step 2: Pick Your Spot

Garlic needs at least 6 hours of full sun and well-drained soil. Garlic pairs well with brassicas, such as cabbage, kale, and arugula, or alongside your other leafy greens. At the time of planting, either amend your soil with fresh compost or add a high-nitrogen fertilizer. I used the Bio-Fish fertilizer

I had on hand, which is 7-7-2. (Please Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases)

Step 3: Plant Pointy-Side Up

Take each clove of garlic and plant 2-3 inches below the surface, with the pointy side up; anything deeper will make it challenging to pull it out. Depending on the variety, if bulbs are on the smaller side, plant them 4 inches apart; if they produce larger bulbs, plant them 6 inches apart.

Step 4: Tuck Them In

Once planted, ensure that you cover them with a generous layer of mulch. At this time of year, there is always an abundance of leaves on the ground, so I tucked in my garlic using a good 2-3 inch layer of leaves to protect it during the cold winter months and keep it from sprouting too early. But don’t fret if they sprout before spring; they will be just fine.

Planting Tip:

Plant the larger garlic cloves that line the outer layers of the garlic bulb. They will produce larger garlic bulbs than the smallest cloves.

Are you planning to grow your own garlic this year? These simple planting tips will help you get started. For more information about kitchen gardening, check out more seasonal gardening tips.

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