How to Plant Fall Garlic

Garlic is planted during the fall because the cloves must drop to a low temperature before they will begin growth. The winter season chills the cloves, and when the soil begins to warm in the spring, growth will begin. Planting fall garlic properly requires little effort, and will result in large, flavorful cloves ready for harvest in the summer.

Things You'll Need

• Tiller
• Fertilizer
• Compost
• Spade
• Organic mulch

Instructions

1. Prepare the soil in early fall by tilling 1 to 2 pounds of a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 100 square feet into the soil. Spread 2 to 3 inches of organic compost over the planting location, and then till into the soil to greatly increase fertility and drainage.

2. Use a spade to form a long planting row 1 to 2 inches deep, with 15 to 18 inches between adjacent rows. Place each individual garlic bulb into the soil about 4 to 6 inches away from the next closest bulb.

3. Cover the garlic bulbs with soil, and then water thoroughly to ensure the soil is moist. Cover the planting area with 4 to 6 inches of organic mulch to conserve water and prevent the growth of weeds.

4. Remove the mulch as soon as growth is evident in the following spring to allow the garlic to grow. Do not water the garlic after the initial planting unless more than one week passes without rain.

Tips & Warnings

• Use organic straw mulch if possible, as it deteriorates less rapidly and won't harbor diseases. Garlic can be planted during the spring, but should be refrigerated for at least 8 weeks prior to planting.

References

• Fall is the Time to Plant Garlic
• It is Time to Plant Garlic
• Fall is for Planting