It’s called winter for a reason: you can’t grow all the things you could in the spring, summer, or even fall. For most plants, it is a time of dormancy and regrouping for the springtime to come.
There are some options that are not only useful and easy, but also look great on the plate or in the pot, even if your greenhouse isn’t heated and fall is coming up quickly. A top contender? Garlic.
Garlic almost never sets seed, preferring to propagate by vegetative propagation instead. This is a very reliable way to grow more garlic plants, and it’s also a great way to teach kids and people who are new to gardening about the amazing world of plants.
The process is easy, and interesting to watch. Take a “seed garlic” bulb and cut it into cloves. For best results, buy seed garlic that has been chosen for good garden performance and is more likely to be virus-free. Each clove divides and grows inside the paper-like covering, eventually producing several cloves of its own. The leaves will grow up high as the bulb grows, but they will die back when the bulb is fully grown below the ground.
Growing garlic in a greenhouse allows you to control the environment and extend the growing season, But how long does it actually take to go from planting to harvesting garlic in this controlled setting? Let’s take a look at the timeline
Overview of Garlic Growth Stages
Garlic goes through a few key growth phases on its journey from a tiny clove to a full bulb Here are the main stages
-
Planting: This refers to when you plant the individual garlic cloves in pots or beds in the greenhouse.
-
Sprouting: Within 1-2 weeks after planting, you’ll see sprouts and green shoots emerging from the cloves.
-
Leaf growth: The leafy green tops will continue growing taller over the next 4-6 weeks.
-
Bulb formation: The bulbs begin developing underground around 2 months after planting. This stage takes several months.
-
Maturing: As the bulbs size up, the lower leaves start to yellow and dry out. This indicates the garlic is nearing maturity after 6-9 months.
-
Harvesting: Once around half of the leaves have browned, the garlic can be harvested.
Timeline From Planting to Harvest
The total growing time for garlic in a greenhouse is typically 6-9 months. However, various factors can influence the specific duration:
-
Garlic variety: Hardneck garlic may mature slightly faster than softneck.
-
Planting method: Cloves vs. pre-grown bulbs will affect timeline.
-
Greenhouse conditions: Warmer temperatures and stable conditions speed growth.
-
Soil health: Rich, fertile soil encourages faster growth.
-
Bulb size: Bigger bulbs take longer to form underground.
Here’s a more detailed timeline of what to expect:
1. Planting
- This stage is extremely quick – simply inserting cloves or bulbs into the soil.
2. Sprouting
- You’ll see sprouts in 7-14 days.
3. Leaf Growth
- Leaves will continue growing for 4-6 weeks after sprouting.
4. Bulb Formation
-
Underground bulb growth begins around 2 months after planting.
-
This stage lasts a minimum of 4-5 months.
-
Larger bulbs may take up to 8 months to fully form.
5. Maturing
-
Lower leaves start browning 6-8 months after planting.
-
The plant is mature when about 50% of leaves are brown.
6. Harvesting
-
Harvesting time depends on maturity indicators mentioned above.
-
Typical duration is 6-9 months from planting date.
-
Earliest harvest may be just over 6 months.
Extending or Accelerating Growth
The controlled greenhouse environment enables you to extend the growing season using a few key tactics:
-
Stagger planting dates for a continuous harvest.
-
Speed growth with warmer temperatures and grow lights.
-
Start earlier in the season than outdoor planting.
-
Plant slower-maturing varieties you couldn’t grow outdoors.
-
Grow through winter by maintaining ideal soil temperature.
However, be cautious about accelerating growth too much, as garlic needs time to properly mature. Rushing can result in smaller bulbs.
Monitoring Your Garlic’s Progress
To best determine when your greenhouse garlic is ready for harvest, keep a close eye on it as it matures:
-
Check soil temperature and moisture frequently.
-
Inspect leaves and plant appearance weekly.
-
Watch for browning lower leaves around 6 months after planting.
-
Test bulb size by gently removing soil around a sample bulb.
-
Harvest when 50% of leaves are brown and bulbs are adequately sized.
Key Takeaways
-
Garlic typically takes 6-9 months to reach harvest size when grown in a greenhouse.
-
The controlled environment allows you to plant earlier and harvest later than outdoors.
-
Warmer temperatures and stable conditions may speed up growth slightly.
-
Adjust greenhouse conditions to balance faster maturity with allowing bulbs time to size up.
-
Monitor soil, leaves, and test bulbs to determine optimal harvest timing.
With the ability to start growing garlic earlier in the season and the protection a greenhouse offers, you can enjoy homegrown garlic for more months of the year. Pay close attention to bulb maturity indicators to time your harvest correctly. In as little as 6 months, you’ll be enjoying fresh garlic from your greenhouse.
How to Water Garlic
It should only need about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) of water every four days to stay healthy and happy. Don’t water the crowns though; always water the at the base of the plant. When there are no more fresh leaves being developed, cut back to about half. These rules are obviously affected by heat and weather, so they might need to be changed. The best rule of thumb is to water when the soil is dry.
Garlic is Easy to Grow
Garlic is so easy to grow, it’s better to think of it as hard to keep from growing. Cloves from the store sometimes do well here, but they are usually brought in from faraway places with warmer climates and might not do well in the rainy and sometimes dark British weather. For most reliable results, pick up a garden variety from a local supplier.
Watch This Before You Plant Garlic
FAQ
Can you grow garlic in a greenhouse all year round?
Does it take 2 years to grow garlic?
Does garlic like full sun or shade?
What temperature is too hot for garlic to grow?
How long does it take to grow garlic in a greenhouse?
When growing garlic in your greenhouse, the time until harvest can vary. Typically, you’re looking at about 6-9 months for a complete growth cycle, from planting to harvesting. If you start with pre-planted cloves, you’ll see the green shoots poking through the soil usually within a couple of weeks.
What temperature should garlic grow in a greenhouse?
The preferred soil temperature is between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 10 Celsius) and garlic plants love sunshine. In a greenhouse you can water your plants in a controlled, measured way, monitoring the moisture levels as required preventing water logging from downpours or drought stress from dry periods.
How long does it take to grow garlic?
But generally, you’ll start noticing the greens within 2 weeks. Around 3 to 6 weeks, you’ll also start seeing scapes getting formed, which make great flavoring ingredients. If you wait for about 6-10 months, the garlic bulbs should be ready for harvest.
Can garlic be grown in an unheated greenhouse?
Garlic is one of the few vegetables that can be grown in an unheated greenhouse. It is not only a very lucrative plant to grow but also educational. Garlic is almost never grown from seed, instead, it increases by vegetative propagation.
Why should you grow garlic in a greenhouse?
Garlic cultivation in the greenhouse benefits from controlled conditions such as moderate lighting, optimal temperatures of 65-75°F, and humidity levels of 50-70%, with proper ventilation crucial to preventing humidity-related issues and fungal diseases.
When does garlic grow in a garden?
Garlic grows in a season after planting seeds in the fall. Garlic scapes are ready each spring and bulbs are ready each fall. What’s the Best Garlic to Plant in My Garden? The best option for growing garlic is to get some garlic bulbs from a local grower. That way you know you have garlic stock that is adapted to your climate.