How to Plant Garlic in the Spring
Setting the right growing conditions is essential to harvesting healthful, flavorful garlic. Garlic originated in Asia, where the long winter months allowed the bulbs to properly form in the ground. While fall is often recommended as the ideal time for planting garlic, you can plant in the spring and still achieve fragrant plants. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Till the area of your garden where you want to plant garlic in late February to early March, about four to six weeks before the final frost. A 4-by-4-foot plot will be large enough for your personal garlic needs.
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Add a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic compost to the soil and mix it thoroughly to spread the nutrients throughout the soil.
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Mound loose soil and compost so it is about six inches higher than surrounding ground.
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Create rows about 12 inches apart in the mounded soil. Dig 2-inch-deep holes every four to six inches.
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Plant the bulbs of garlic with the round side down. Cover the holes with soil.
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Water the planted bulbs lightly. You want to moisten the soil, but not soak it, as moist soil will enhance the garlic flavor (excessive watering will detract from the flavor).
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Add a 4- to 6-inch layer of mulch to deter weed growth.
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Water lightly once a week. The mulch layer will absorb and conserve water between waterings. Stop watering your garlic when the tops start to yellow and allow them to rest in the soil for two weeks after that point before harvesting.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase garlic bulbs for planting from your local nursery or home and garden center. Do not attempt to plant garlic purchased from the grocery store. Most grocery-store garlic comes from California, where the growing conditions are different. (If you live in California, this advice would not apply.)
Spring garlic may not be as large as bulbs planted in the fall, as the plant has less time to develop before harvest.
