How To Grow Garlic In 5 Easy Steps

If you’ve ever cooked with fresh garlic, you already know it’s a kitchen essential. But have you ever pulled a plump garlic bulb straight from your own garden? It’s one of the most satisfying gardening experiences there is—and the best part is that garlic is one of the easiest crops you can grow.

Garlic doesn’t need constant attention, fancy tools, or years of gardening experience. Plant it, give it time, and let nature do the heavy lifting. Whether you have a backyard, a raised bed, or even a large container, growing garlic is simple, affordable, and incredibly rewarding.

Let’s break it down into five easy steps so you can grow your own garlic with confidence.

Why Garlic Is Perfect for Beginner Gardeners

Before we jump into the steps, let’s talk about why garlic deserves a spot in your garden.

Garlic:

Is low maintenance
Has very few pests
Improves soil health
Stores well after harvest
Tastes better than store-bought

Plus, garlic planted once can feed you for months. That’s a pretty good return for minimal effort.

Step 1: Choose the Right Garlic Variety

The first step to growing great garlic is choosing the right type.

Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic

There are two main types of garlic:

Hardneck garlic

Produces stiff stalks and garlic scapes
Has fewer but larger cloves
Performs best in cold climates
Rich, complex flavor

Softneck garlic

Has flexible stalks (great for braiding)
Produces more cloves per bulb
Stores longer
Best for mild or warm climates

If you’re unsure which to choose, go with softneck for warmer regions and hardneck for colder ones.

Use Seed Garlic, Not Grocery Store Garlic

This is important.

Garlic from the grocery store is often treated to prevent sprouting. For best results, purchase seed garlic from:

Local nurseries
Online seed companies
Farmers markets

Healthy cloves lead to healthy bulbs.

Step 2: Plant Garlic at the Right Time

Garlic is usually planted in the fall, which surprises a lot of new gardeners.

Why Fall Planting Works Best

Garlic needs a cold period to form bulbs. Planting in fall allows:

Strong root growth before winter
Bigger bulbs the following summer

In most areas, plant garlic 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes.

Spring Planting (If You Missed Fall)

You can plant garlic in early spring, but bulbs may be smaller. It’s still worth trying if fall planting isn’t an option.

Step 3: Prepare the Soil Like a Pro

Garlic loves rich, loose, well-draining soil.

Ideal Soil Conditions

Loose and crumbly
High in organic matter
Well-draining
Slightly acidic to neutral

Before planting:

Loosen soil 8–10 inches deep
Mix in compost or aged manure
Remove rocks and debris

Garlic doesn’t like compacted soil—good soil equals big bulbs.

Raised Beds Are Perfect for Garlic

If you’re growing in raised beds, you’re already ahead of the game. Raised beds offer excellent drainage and make harvesting easier.

Step 4: Plant Garlic the Right Way

Now comes the fun part.

How to Plant Garlic Cloves

Break apart the garlic bulb into individual cloves
Keep the papery skin intact
Plant each clove pointy side up
Space cloves 4–6 inches apart
Plant 2 inches deep (3 inches in cold climates)

Cover with soil and water well.

Mulch for Protection

After planting, add 2–4 inches of mulch like:

Straw
Shredded leaves
Grass clippings

Mulch:

Protects cloves from extreme cold
Suppresses weeds
Maintains moisture

This step makes garlic almost maintenance-free over winter.

Step 5: Care, Harvest, and Cure Your Garlic

Garlic is very hands-off, but a little care goes a long way.

Watering Garlic

Water deeply once or twice a week
Reduce watering as harvest approaches
Stop watering completely 1–2 weeks before harvest

Too much water near harvest can cause rot.

Fertilizing Garlic

Garlic is a heavy feeder early in the season.

Feed with:

Compost
Fish emulsion
Balanced organic fertilizer

Stop fertilizing once the plant begins forming bulbs (usually late spring).

Removing Garlic Scapes (Hardneck Only)

If growing hardneck garlic, you’ll notice curly flower stalks called scapes.

Cut them off when they curl once. This:

Redirects energy into bulb growth
Gives you a delicious bonus crop

Garlic scapes are amazing sautéed, grilled, or blended into pesto.

When and How to Harvest Garlic

Timing is everything.

Signs Garlic Is Ready to Harvest

Lower leaves turn yellow or brown
Upper leaves remain green
About 40–50% of leaves have died back

Use a garden fork to gently loosen soil and lift bulbs. Avoid pulling by the stem—it can break.

How to Cure Garlic for Storage

Curing helps garlic last for months.

Curing Steps

Brush off excess soil
Leave stalks and roots attached
Hang garlic in bundles or lay flat in a dry, airy space
Cure for 2–3 weeks

Once cured:

Trim roots
Cut stems (or braid softneck varieties)
Store in a cool, dark place

Properly cured garlic can last 6–12 months.

Growing Garlic in Containers

No garden? No problem.

Container Tips

Use a container at least 8–10 inches deep
Ensure good drainage
Plant cloves 4 inches apart

Place containers in full sun and protect from extreme cold.

Common Garlic Growing Mistakes

Even easy crops have pitfalls.

Planting cloves upside down
Using treated grocery store garlic
Overwatering near harvest
Harvesting too early

Learning from these mistakes makes you a better gardener.

Why Growing Garlic Is So Rewarding

Garlic teaches patience and trust. You plant it in fall, forget about it over winter, and then watch it explode with growth in spring.

Few crops offer such a high reward for such low effort.

My First Garlic Harvest

The first time I harvested garlic, I was shocked by how big and fragrant the bulbs were. It felt like uncovering buried treasure.

That moment hooked me on growing garlic forever.

You don’t need a green thumb, fancy tools, or a big garden to grow garlic successfully. With these five easy steps, you can grow flavorful, homegrown garlic that beats anything from the store.

Remember:

Choose good seed garlic
Plant at the right time
Focus on soil quality
Be patient

Before you know it, you’ll be cooking with garlic you grew yourself—and that’s a win worth celebrating.

Happy garlic growing.

Taking Your Garlic Growing Skills to the Next Level

Once you’ve planted garlic and watched it grow, it’s hard not to fall in love with this humble little bulb. Garlic is forgiving, productive, and incredibly satisfying—especially when you realize how little effort it actually takes.

This expanded section is designed to help you go beyond the basics so you can grow bigger bulbs, stronger plants, and longer-lasting harvests, whether this is your first year or your fifth.

Understanding Garlic’s Growth Stages (So You Know What’s Happening Underground)

Garlic may look quiet above the soil, but a lot is happening below the surface.

Fall: Root Development

After planting, garlic focuses on growing roots—not leaves. Even if you don’t see much happening above ground, roots are forming and anchoring the plant.

This stage is crucial for:

Winter survival
Strong spring growth
Larger bulbs later

Winter: Dormancy

Garlic rests during winter, especially in cold climates. Mulch protects the cloves from extreme temperature swings.

Don’t worry if snow covers your garlic—it actually acts as insulation.

Spring: Leaf Growth Explosion

As temperatures warm, garlic takes off. You’ll see tall green leaves appear quickly.

Each leaf equals one layer of the garlic bulb.
More healthy leaves = bigger bulbs.

This is the most important growth phase for watering and feeding.

Late Spring to Early Summer: Bulb Formation

Once daylight hours increase, garlic shifts energy from leaf growth to bulb formation underground.

This is when:

Scapes appear (hardneck varieties)
Fertilizing should slow or stop
Consistent watering is key

Summer: Maturity and Harvest

Leaves begin to yellow from the bottom up, signaling harvest time is near.

Timing matters here—too early and bulbs are small, too late and cloves separate.

How Climate Affects Garlic Growth

Garlic is adaptable, but climate plays a role in timing and care.

Cold Climates

Hardneck garlic thrives
Heavy mulch is essential
Fall planting is ideal

Cold winters actually improve bulb formation.

Mild or Warm Climates

Softneck garlic performs best
Less mulch needed
Fall planting still works, but early winter planting is okay

In very warm regions, garlic may need refrigeration (vernalization) before planting to simulate cold exposure.

Watering Garlic the Right Way (Without Overthinking It)

Garlic likes consistent moisture—but hates soggy soil.

Watering Guidelines

Water deeply 1–2 times per week
Increase watering during spring growth
Reduce watering once bulbs begin forming
Stop watering entirely 7–14 days before harvest

Raised beds and well-draining soil make watering much easier to manage.

Feeding Garlic for Bigger Bulbs

Garlic is a heavy feeder early in its life.

Best Nutrients for Garlic

Nitrogen early in spring
Balanced nutrients mid-season
Minimal feeding near harvest

Organic Feeding Options

Compost top-dressing
Fish emulsion (diluted)
Blood meal (early spring only)
Worm castings

Avoid overfeeding—too much nitrogen late in the season leads to leafy growth instead of bulb development.

Companion Planting With Garlic

Garlic is a fantastic garden companion.

Plants That Love Garlic Nearby

Tomatoes
Peppers
Lettuce
Spinach
Carrots
Beets

Garlic helps deter pests like aphids and beetles, making it a natural protector.

Plants to Avoid Near Garlic

Beans
Peas
Lentils

These legumes don’t love garlic’s presence and may struggle nearby.

Growing Garlic in Small Spaces

Garlic doesn’t need much room, making it perfect for:

Raised beds
Containers
Small gardens

Container Garlic Tips

Choose containers at least 10–12 inches deep
Use loose, well-draining soil
Space cloves 4 inches apart
Protect containers from extreme cold

Even a single container can produce a surprising amount of garlic.

Weed Control for Garlic (Simple and Low Effort)

Garlic doesn’t compete well with weeds—especially early on.

Best Weed Control Methods

Mulch heavily after planting
Hand-pull weeds when small
Avoid disturbing garlic roots

A thick mulch layer does most of the work for you.

Common Garlic Problems and How to Fix Them

Garlic is relatively trouble-free, but a few issues can pop up.

Yellowing Leaves Too Early

Possible causes:

Overwatering
Poor drainage
Nutrient deficiency

Check soil moisture and drainage first.

Small Bulbs

Common reasons:

Poor soil quality
Late planting
Too much shade
Overcrowding

Garlic rewards preparation—great soil makes all the difference.

Mold or Rot

Usually caused by:

Excess moisture
Poor airflow
Harvesting too late

Improve drainage and stop watering before harvest.

How to Harvest Garlic Without Damaging Bulbs

Harvest day feels like a celebration—and it should.

Harvesting Tips

Use a garden fork or shovel
Loosen soil gently
Lift bulbs carefully
Avoid pulling by stems

Damaged bulbs don’t store well, so handle them gently.

Curing Garlic Like a Pro

Curing transforms freshly harvested garlic into long-lasting storage garlic.

Ideal Curing Conditions

Dry
Shaded
Well-ventilated

Garages, sheds, or covered porches work well.

Hang garlic in small bundles or lay it on racks. Avoid direct sunlight—it weakens bulbs.

Storing Garlic for Long-Term Use

Once cured, proper storage keeps garlic usable for months.

Best Storage Conditions

Cool (50–60°F)
Dry
Dark
Good airflow

Avoid:

Refrigeration
Plastic bags
Sealed containers

Softneck garlic stores longer than hardneck, but both can last well into winter when stored properly.

Saving Garlic for Next Year’s Planting

Want to be self-sufficient? Save your best bulbs.

How to Save Seed Garlic

Choose the largest, healthiest bulbs
Store separately
Label varieties

Planting your own garlic improves adaptation to your specific growing conditions over time.

Garlic Scapes: The Hidden Bonus Harvest

If you’re growing hardneck garlic, don’t skip scapes.

Why Remove Scapes

Encourages bigger bulbs
Prevents energy loss

How to Use Garlic Scapes

Pesto
Stir-fries
Grilled
Pickled

They’re delicious and only available for a short time—enjoy them!

Rotating Garlic Crops for Healthier Soil

Avoid planting garlic in the same spot year after year.

Simple rotation helps prevent:

Soil depletion
Disease buildup

Rotate garlic with:

Leafy greens
Root vegetables

Even rotating within raised beds helps.

Why Garlic Is a Confidence-Building Crop

Garlic teaches patience and trust.

You plant it, wait months, and then uncover something tangible and beautiful. It reminds you that good things really do take time.

For beginner gardeners, garlic is proof that:

You don’t need perfection
Nature does most of the work
Simple steps lead to real results

My Favorite Garlic Growing Lesson

The first year I grew garlic, I worried constantly—was it too wet? Too cold? Too late?

And then harvest day came, and the bulbs were beautiful.

Garlic taught me to relax and trust the process. Now it’s one of the first crops I plant every year.

Final Thoughts: Growing Garlic Is Easier Than You Think

Garlic might look humble, but it’s one of the most rewarding crops you can grow. With these five easy steps—and a little extra know-how—you can produce garlic that’s fresher, tastier, and more satisfying than anything from the store.