How to Plant Garlic in Iowa: A Complete Guide

Garlic is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can transform any dish. While it’s easy to grab garlic from the grocery store growing your own garlic at home in Iowa offers unmatched flavor and satisfaction.

As a cool-weather crop, garlic thrives when planted in Iowa’s fall conditions. With the right timing and techniques, you can enjoy a successful garlic harvest from your own backyard or garden plot.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planting garlic in Iowa, including:

• Best Garlic Varieties for Iowa
• When to Plant
• Preparing Your Planting Site
• Planting Techniques
• Caring for Your Garlic Plants
• Harvesting and Storing

Best Garlic Varieties for Iowa’s Climate

Iowa’s cold winters and temperate summers are ideal for growing hardneck garlic varieties. Hardneck garlic produces flowering stalks (scapes) and boasts larger, easier-to-peel cloves than softneck varieties.

Some excellent hardneck garlic types that grow well in Iowa include:

• German Red: A widely adaptable garlic with beautiful large cloves and hot, spicy flavor. High yields.

• Music: A popular, reliable variety with mild flavor. Produces large, easy-to-peel cloves.

• German Extra Hardy: Known for its rich, nutty flavor. Cold-hardy and stores well.

• Spanish Roja: Features very spicy cloves and scapes. Heat tolerant and great for Iowa.

• Chesnok Red: Large, purple-striped bulbs with rich, spicy flavor. High yields.

Talk to experienced local garlic growers to get advice on varieties that thrive in your specific region of Iowa. Farmers’ markets are a great place to find garlic growers and purchase seed bulbs.

When to Plant Garlic in Iowa

Timing is key when it comes to planting garlic. You’ll want to plant your garlic cloves in the fall, about 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. This gives the garlic time to root and become established before winter dormancy.

• Ideal Planting Time: Mid-to-late October. Plant after the first frost but 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes hard.

• Avoid planting too early while soil temperatures are still warm, which can cause cloves to sprout and become damaged by cold snaps.

• Don’t plant too late either. The cloves need time to root before winter dormancy.

Pay attention to long-range weather forecasts and be prepared to adjust your planting window as needed based on changing conditions.

Preparing Your Planting Site

Select a site that receives full sun (at least 6 hours per day). Garlic prefers fertile, well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. Avoid soggy sites.

Improve your soil’s fertility before planting:

• Loosen the top 12 inches of soil. Break up any clumps.

• Mix in 2-4 inches of compost or rotted manure. Garlic is a heavy feeder.

• You can also mix in a balanced organic fertilizer. Use 1-2 lbs per 100 sq ft.

• Raised beds are ideal for improving drainage and soil quality.

How to Plant the Garlic Cloves

Once your planting site is prepped, it’s time to put the cloves in the ground. Follow these steps:

• Break garlic bulbs into individual cloves just before planting.

• Plant the largest, healthiest cloves to produce the biggest heads.

• Plant cloves root-side down, pointy end up.

• Plant cloves 1-2″ deep and 3-6″ apart.

• Space rows 12-18″ apart.

• Plant the cloves in straight rows to make weeding and harvesting easier.

• After planting, water the area thoroughly to settle the soil.

Caring for Your Garlic Plants

With proper care, your garlic will be off to a healthy start:

• Mulch well: After planting, cover with 4-6″ of mulch like straw or leaves. This insulates plants during cold temps.

• Weed diligently: Garlic hates weeds, which steal nutrients and water. Stay on top of weeding!

• Water thoroughly: Garlic needs consistent moisture. Water 1-2″ per week if rain is lacking.

• Feed in spring: Side dress with fertilizer or compost once shoots emerge in spring.

Harvesting Iowa Garlic

You’ll know your garlic is ready for harvest when the bottom 3-4 leaves turn yellow and dry out in mid-summer.

• Use a garden fork to loosen soil and lift bulbs gently. Don’t pull on stems.

• Gently shake dirt off bulbs. Don’t wash them yet.

• Allow bulbs to cure for 1-2 weeks protected from sun and rain. This improves storage.

• Once cured, cut tops to 1⁄2 inch above the bulb, leaving roots intact.

• Store cured bulbs in a cool, dry place for months of garlic goodness!

Storing Your Garlic Bounty

Follow proper storage practices and your fresh garlic harvest will last up to 8 months:

• Store bulbs in a cool (60-70°F), dry place with good air circulation.

• Avoid humidity and moisture, which causes mold and spoilage.

• Hang braided garlic or store loose bulbs in mesh bags or containers. Never use plastic bags.

• Inspect regularly and remove any bulbs showing signs of mold or spoilage.

Enjoy an Abundant Iowa Garlic Harvest!

With the right variety choices, timing, care and harvesting practices, you can enjoy prolific garlic crops grown fresh in Iowa soil. Homegrown garlic boasts incredible flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Get your hands dirty and reap a beautiful harvest and pride that only comes from gardening your own food.