8 Steps to Growing Garlic

STEP 1: PREPARE YOUR SOIL IN SEPTEMBER

• Remove all weeds from the area.
• Add compost or manure.
• Dig into the top 6″ of soil.
• Choose good-sized bulbs to start.

 

STEP 2: PLANT YOUR GARLIC CLOVES IN OCTOBER

• Split the bulbs into individual cloves (save any damaged or tiny cloves for your next meal).
• Plant the cloves 2–4″ deep and 6–8″ apart.
• Plant four weeks before the ground freezes; aim for early October (Thanksgiving weekend).

 

STEP 3: COVER WITH MULCH IN LATE OCTOBER EARLY NOVEMBER

• Cover your cloves with 2–4″ straw, leaves, or grass clippings.
• Mulching will help with weed control, prevent drying out, and add some insulation during winter months.

 

STEP 4: MONITOR FROM JANUARY TO JUNE

• Your cloves will sprout roots underneath the snow, grow through spring, and reach full size in June.
• Keep well-watered during dry spells in May and June
• Pull out any weeds that sprout through the mulch.

 

 

STEP 5: CUT THE SCAPES AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY

• The Scape is the flower stalk that sprouts on the garlic plant in the spring.
• You need to cut or snap the Scape off to direct the plant’s energy to the bulb instead of towards flowers and seeds.
• Fry or BBQ the Scapes as you would use green onions or asparagus – delicious!

 

 

STEP 6: HARVEST AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST

• As the garlic matures in late July, the bottom leaves will turn brown from the ground up.
• Once half the leaves are brown, dig up the garlic with a shovel or pitchfork.
• Shake off loose soil, leaving roots and stems attached, and bring in from the garden.
• You can start eating a few bulbs, but they will store well once dried.

 

 

STEP 7: DRY (2 WEEKS)

• Bring your garlic plants into an area with open air and shade; a shed or covered porch will suffice.
• Tie plants in bundles of 10 and hang to dry.
• Once your plants have dried for a few days, try braiding some—this is a great way to store garlic (and it makes for a lovely gift!)
• Leave for two weeks or until the stem is dry, then cut 1″ above the bulb.
• Trim the roots, cut the stems, and store them in a dry spot above 10°C (50°F). Inside a paper or mesh bag in the kitchen pantry also works well.

 

 

STEP 8: SHARE AND ENJOY

• To be planted in the fall
• Full sun
• High organic matter in the soil

• The same spot two years in a row
• Tight spacing
• Weed competition!

Visit any of our garden centre locations or shop online for garlic bulbs for planting.