All You Need to Know About Planting Garlic In Fall
Planting garlic in the fall may seem counterintuitive, but it’s actually the best way to ensure a plentiful crop the following year. Here is everything you need to know to plant garlic in the fall successfully.
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It’s time to plant our fall garlic crop for a bountiful harvest next summer. Timing is essential; aim to plant it 4-6 weeks before your region’s first expected frost date. This timing allows the garlic to establish strong roots before winter.
That said, your garlic will grow even if you plant it late. We’ve planted after the frost date before and still gotten a healthy crop. Garlic is a hardy plant. Just get it in the ground.
Soil preparation is crucial. Garlic prefers well-drained soil with good organic matter. Incorporating compost on top of or into the soil can enhance its fertility and structure, providing an ideal environment for garlic growth.
When selecting garlic bulbs for planting, ensure they are healthy and free from disease. You can obtain bulbs from a garden center or use bulbs saved from a previous harvest. We hold back half the harvest from each crop every year.
Plant garlic cloves individually, with the pointed end facing upward. A depth of about 1 to 2 inches is suitable, and spacing cloves 4 to 6 inches apart in rows with 12-inch row spacing is recommended.
To protect the garlic during the winter, apply a layer of mulch, such as straw, hay, or leaves. This mulch helps insulate the soil and prevent temperature fluctuations.
See Also: The Benefits Of Mulch
We use a layer of compost as mulch followed by whatever organic materials we have.
Water the newly planted garlic cloves thoroughly to settle the soil around them. Garlic will establish roots during the fall and then go dormant over the winter. In the spring, as temperatures rise, garlic will begin to grow.
Continue to care for it by providing consistent moisture and monitoring for any signs of pests or diseases. Garlic is typically ready for harvest when the lower leaves turn brown, usually in late spring or early summer.
See Also: How To Improve Garden Soil Over The Winter {According To Experts}
Note: Above is the correct orientation for your garlic to be planted successfully.
