Someone recently shocked me by telling me that growing garlic takes the same amount of time as growing a person. It does! From September or October to June or July, it takes 9 to 10 months. Funnily enough, I was actually growing both garlic and a child during those exact months this past year…. taking out your fragile bulbs and looking at a baby who just got home from the hospital is a crazy comparison. Talk about putting things into perspective how long garlic takes it’s sweet time to mature. Good grief.
When you plant something, the season and weather will make a big difference in how well it grows. This year’s crop wasn’t very good, and there are some things I will change when we start planning for next summer’s crop. I will share all of these changes with you along with some tips to get you started.
Is the long growing season worth it? Yes! Not only will your garlic harvest last you a long time if you store it right, but there’s nothing better than hot and spicy garlic from your own garden, especially when you start trying out different types.
Garlic is a popular ingredient used in cuisines around the world. With its pungent and distinct flavor, garlic adds delicious depth and complexity to dishes. Many home cooks enjoy using fresh garlic from their own gardens, as it has a superior aroma and taste compared to store-bought options. If you’re new to growing garlic, you may be wondering – how long does garlic take to grow from planting to harvest?
Typically, it takes around 9 months for garlic to complete its growing cycle from planting the cloves to harvesting the mature bulbs. However, the exact duration can vary depending on factors like garlic variety, climate, and growing conditions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the entire process of growing garlic at home, including optimal timing for planting, what to expect at each stage of growth, signs that garlic is ready to harvest, and tips for maximizing your yield.
Selecting A Garlic Variety
The first step is choosing which type of garlic you’d like to grow. The two main types are softneck and hardneck garlic.
Softneck garlic varieties grow well in milder climates. They produce higher yields and are ideal for braiding. Hardneck garlic thrives better in colder regions. It tends to have larger cloves and flower stalks called scapes. Hardneck garlic also has a more complex, nuanced flavor.
When selecting garlic, choose varieties that are best suited to your local growing conditions. Check with local nurseries or extension offices for recommended types for your climate. Order sets of cloves from reputable suppliers. Grocery store garlic may be treated to inhibit growth.
When To Plant Garlic
Timing is key for a successful garlic crop. Garlic is best planted in late fall around 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. The cloves need time to root before winter but not enough time to sprout leaves.
- Hardneck garlic: Plant in late October to November
- Softneck garlic: Plant in early October to November
- In warm climates: Plant in November to February
Planting in fall allows the garlic to go through a cold dormancy period, which is needed for bulb formation. If planted too late in spring, the bulbs will be smaller.
Planting Garlic Cloves
To plant, separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves. Select large, healthy looking cloves for planting. Smaller cloves will produce smaller bulbs.
Make sure the garden bed has nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Amend with compost or fertilizer if needed. Plant the cloves 2-4 inches deep and 4-8 inches apart in rows spaced 1-2 feet apart. Point the tips of the cloves up and cover with soil.
After planting, add 3-6 inches of mulch over the bed. Straw or leaves work well. The mulch insulates the developing cloves over winter. Irrigate after planting if the soil is dry. Garlic needs consistent moisture while establishing roots and periodic watering as bulbs grow.
Stages of Garlic Growth
Once you get cloves in the ground, there’s little to do but wait. So, how long does it take garlic to grow? On average, you’ll be waiting about 9 months from seed to harvest. Here’s what to expect at each stage:
Germination Stage
This stage lasts about 1-2 months after planting. Tiny green shoots will emerge from the planted cloves when germination begins.
Green Garlic Stage
Around 7 months after planting, greens will be about 1-2 feet tall. At this point, some gardeners will harvest some plants as “green garlic.” It has a milder taste and tender texture.
Scapes Stage
In the 8th month, hardneck varieties produce curly green flower stalks called scapes. Scapes can be removed to focus energy on the bulbs. They are also edible with a mild garlic flavor.
Bulbing Stage
About 8-9 months after planting, bulbs begin to form and enlarge at the base of the leaves. Bulbs will feel firm when gently squeezed.
Harvesting Stage
9-10 months after planting, the lower leaves begin browning and dying back, signaling maturity. Bulbs are ready to dig up once 2-4 leaves are still green.
How to Harvest Garlic
Garlic is ready for harvest when at least 2-4 leaves near the bottom are still green. As garlic ripens, bulbs will fill out the wrappers and bottom leaves will dry and turn brown. Harvest when about half of the leaves look brown.
Use a digging fork to gently loosen the soil and lift bulbs. Avoid bruising or damaging bulbs when pulling them out. Place harvested bulbs in a shady, well-ventilated spot to cure for 1-2 weeks. The curing process helps form the papery protective skins.
Once cured and dried, trim roots and stems to about 1 inch. Store in a cool, dry place and enjoy your homegrown garlic all year long!
Tips For Growing Great Garlic
- Choose disease-resistant varieties suited for your climate
- Plant cloves in fall about 4 weeks before first frost
- Ensure soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients
- Mulch over planted cloves to insulate during winter
- Water regularly so soil stays moist but not soggy
- Pull scapes on hardneck varieties to direct energy to bulbs
- Harvest when 2-4 bottom leaves are still green
- Cure bulbs for 1-2 weeks before storing
With the right variety and care, you can enjoy fresh homegrown garlic for months after harvest. So plant some cloves this fall and get ready to reap the rewards!
(SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER DEPENDING ON YOUR ZONE)
-GROW IT-
Exposure: Full sun // Zone: All zones.
Planting Guide: Zones 0-3: Plant early to late September. Zones 3-5: Plant late September to early October. Zones 5-9: Plant in mid to late October.
Hardneck Vs. Depending on where you live and what you want, these two main types of garlic will help you figure out where to start growing them. Here’s a basic run down.
Hardneck: Hardy enough to grow in colder climates and winters (though I’ve also had success with them in the hot, dry zone 9). Clove formation is in a single uniform row making them easy to peel. Others claim that these are tastier, and they also grow scapes, which are delicious on their own.
Softneck – best suited for more mild climates as they will not fair well in harsh winters. Different types of cloves form in different ways, and each cluster has cloves of different sizes. These cloves store better, and you need to grow them if you want to braid your garlic when you harvest it. Sadly no scapes will pop up for an early summer treat.
Plan Ahead/Getting Your Cloves: Purchase/Pre-order cloves mid summer as most seed providers sell out well before autumn planting season! A few favorite places to purchase heirloom bulbs are Baker Creek Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange & Burpee. You can also look into specialty farms online that ship for particular varieties, I’m intrigued by Filaree Garlic Farm (Washington) and Mad River Garlic Growers (Ohio) for some new varietals to try this fall.
Don’t want to go the heirloom route on your first trial? Totally fine. Instead of going to the store, go to the farmers market in the middle to late summer to find organic bulbs. These will work just as well, and you’ll know they don’t contain any pesticides like some store-bought bulbs do (which are also known to under-produce for some reason during processing). You can plant a smaller crop and save money by buying bulbs at the farmers market instead of online, where you usually have to buy them by the half-pound. Talk to the vendors about the different flavors (or cook some yourself first) to decide what works best for you.
-PLANT IT-
To Begin: Garlic needs a lot of food, so plant it in rich soil that will need to be supplemented or fertilized a few times as it grows. In the winter, this means a layer of rich compost on top and a sprinkle of slow-release fertilizer.
Remove cloves from bulb, leaving the paper skin on each individual clove. Plant 2-3 inches deep and 6 inches apart. I love using a hori hori japanese garden tool for this task (perfect for planting AND harvesting). This past year I designated an entire 3×6 bed for growing garlic…I’m not doing that again this year. I actually think that planting them around the garden in different areas (that won’t be disturbed) might be a better use of space for me in the long run, especially with the growing season being nearly a full year. I didn’t necessarily like loosing an entire bed this go – but your plot might allow for such luxuries! I also think I will take advantage of some empty wine barrels this year, garlic would grow wonderfully in containers – as long as you are keeping up on nurturing the soil!
Water-wise, these bulbs love a deep soak. So give them a good water, but infrequently. We want to avoid rot so especially pull back if you have an overly wet winter. A good rule of thumb is…well your thumb. or index finger rather. Poke down a few inches into the soil to your knuckle and if it’s dry…it’s time to water!.
MID- LATE SUMMER HARVEST
PRE-HARVEST:
You should plant extra cloves of garlic because the green garlic is so tasty. You can fit these in any part of your garden or herb bed because they won’t be growing to full size. Plant and care for them as usual, and then harvest them in the spring. You can eat both the soft bulb and the shoots.
Depending on the type of garlic you planted, you may see scapes growing in the months or even weeks before you harvest. These are delicious and a delicacy that you can find only at a few farmers markets. Before the flower opens, cut them off when they sprout and start to curve—you’ll know it when you see it. Use them like fresh garlic or scallions. By removing this shoot you are focusing energy back into the bulb to further mature. If you ask me, it’s a win-win. You’ll understand what I mean after you sauté some for the first time.
GO TIME:
Everyone has a different opinion on when the correct time to harvest garlic falls. And rightfully so, because if you pull too early you’ll have underdeveloped bulbs (but tasty green garlic) and if you pull too late they might be dry or worse rotten…no pressure, right? I think a good rule of thumb is to wait until your garlic tops are 1/2 to 3/4 straw-like and brown. Once these tops are about half brown, hold off on further watering – which will make the cleaning and drying process a lot smoother. When you’re ready to pull, use a hori-hori or similar stake like garden tool to work your bulb out of the ground. It’ll need some assistance a few inches beneath soil line and you definitely don’t want to yank by the tops, because they are important to keep in tact during the drying process.
DRY IT:
After you find your bulbed beauties, they need to be dried for two to three weeks. To do this, brush off any dirt with gloves or a brush, lay them on a wire rack, or hang them from a hook, making sure that all of the tops stay on the bulb. These will continue to send nutrients into your bulb during the drying process. Some people love to dry indoors in a cool dark place. Others like to leave outside in the shade and let nature do the work. Either way, avoid direct sun and any dampness. If they get dirty while they’re still dry, you can clean them by hand. There’s no need to wash them or take off the skins.
You should grow a softneck variety and braid them as soon as you pull them out of the ground if you want to try fancy braiding. You’ll need those green stalks to be flexible enough to handle. I didn’t grow any soft neck this year, which is one of the many changes I’ll make to my planting this fall. If you want to braid, keep this in mind: you’ll need 20 bulbs to make a good-looking piece.
To store it, cut off the tops of the bulbs leaving two to three-inch necks, and trim off any dried roots. Keep them in a cool, dark place and check on them often if you’re not going to use them right away. If you leave them alone for too long in the wrong conditions, they like to sprout.
How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow?
FAQ
How long does it take for garlic to grow from a clove?
Does garlic come back year after year?
What is the best month to plant garlic?
How long does garlic take to grow?
Garlic is a slow-growing crop, and it takes about 9 months from planting to harvest. This can be frustrating for impatient gardeners, but it is important to remember that garlic needs time to develop its roots, bulbs, and scapes.
How big does garlic grow?
Typically, garlic grows about 2 feet tall and generates about 20 cloves, though this depends on the variety. Garlic is usually propagated by planting cloves, but you can also use seeds. Let’s start with the fun stuff.
Is garlic easy to grow?
Garlic is a fairly easy plant to grow. Sydney backyard gardens are well suited for this crop as basic growing criteria are met. Minimal care is needed once the plants are established after initial planting, and they tend to produce a good harvest at the end of the season.