GROWING GUIDE - GARLIC

Looking to grow beautiful, healthy garlic in your garden? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive growing guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from planting to harvest.

QUICK FACTS

• Soil: Preparation
• Suitable for Canadian growing conditions
• Follow package instructions for best results
• Contact T&T Seeds for personalized growing advice

GARLIC PLANTING & CARE

Garlic is a member of the allium family. It is easy to grow and requires very little space in the garden. Garlic grows from individual cloves broken off from a whole bulb.

Each clove will multiply in the ground, forming a new bulb that consists of anywhere from 5–10 cloves. Garlic tastes great roasted or used as a flavouring in many recipes. Weeding is important as garlic does not like competition.

WHERE TO PLANT

Garlic should be planted in a spot not recently used for garlic or other plants from the onion family. Do not plant garlic in areas where water can collect around the roots, causing them to rot or become diseased.

SOIL PREPARATION

Garlic should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil. A raised bed works very well. Remove stones from the top 6 inches of soil.

Work several inches of compost or well-rotted manure into the bed, along with a 20-20-20 fertilizer such as Peter’s All-Purpose 20-20-20 (item #3253).

HOW TO PLANT GARLIC

Garlic likes a rich loamy soil. Plant cloves as soon as possible in spring to give them the optimum growing season. Break bulbs into individual cloves for planting.

Push cloves down into the ground leaving the tip slightly exposed. Space cloves 4 in. apart, with rows at least 12 in. apart.

FALL PLANTING

Plant cloves in mid-autumn in a sunny location with rich, well-drained soil. Set cloves root side down 4–6 in. apart in rows 1½–2 ft. apart, and cover with 1–2 in. of fine soil. In the North, apply 6 in. of mulch for winter protection.

Garlic may begin growth late in fall or early in spring.

SPRING PLANTING

Plant cloves as early in spring as soil can be worked, about the same time as onion sets. Spring-planted garlic should be planted in the same manner as fall garlic.

SPRING CARE

As soon as garlic leaves begin to grow in early spring, apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer such as 1–2 teaspoons of Evolve Blood Meal (item #3264), gently working it into the soil near each plant while avoiding direct contact with the shoots. Garlic is a heavy feeder early in the season, and this supports strong leaf development, which is key to forming large bulbs.

If mulch has broken down over winter, add a fresh layer to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

In late spring, some garlic varieties produce flower stalks with small bulbils. Remove these stalks so the plant directs energy into bulb development. By June, garlic stops producing new leaves and begins forming bulbs.

At this stage, remove any remaining mulch and stop watering. Allowing the soil to dry out improves bulb storage quality.

HARVESTING GARLIC

Garlic is ready to harvest when most leaves have turned brown, typically from late July to late August, depending on climate. Carefully dig up bulbs to avoid bruising. If left in the ground too long, bulbs may separate and will not store well.

Lay garlic plants in a shaded, well-ventilated area to dry for 2–3 weeks. If rain is expected, bring them indoors. Once roots are brittle and dry, gently rub them off along with loose dirt.

Keep bulbs dry and intact. Avoid getting them wet or breaking them apart to ensure long storage life.

READY TO START GROWING?

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