How To Grow Garlic- Softneck

Garlic has been used in many cultures around the world for over 7,000 years, prized not only for its’ culinary value but also for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. Even known to ward off vampires! There are many different types of garlic, most are characterized as either hardneck or softneck and within those two groups you will find garlics with varying levels of spiciness and heat to suite your palate. Each of these softneck type bulbs have between 12-20 cloves and are generally mild in flavor, this is the most common garlic that you will find in your local grocery store.

When to Plant (fall purchase): 

If you purchased this package in the fall, plant after the first frost when the soil has had a chance to cool down from summers’ heat.   Be sure to plant several weeks before winter truly arrives and provide a thick layer of mulch to protect your newly planted cloves from frost heave.

When to Plant (spring purchase):

If you have purchased this package in the spring, plant garlic cloves as soon as your ground is thawed and workable which can be before your last frost date.   

Where to Plant:  Choose a spot with rich; fertile, well-drained soil that gets at least 6 hours of sunshine a day.   Garlic does not like wet soils so be sure to amend with plenty of organic matter if necessary prior to planting.  Keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season for best yields.

How to Plant:  

Remove any weeds and till in a layer of rich, sterile compost to make a light and airy row for planting.   Separate bulbs into individual cloves for planting.  Holding by the pointed end, gently push the clove into the soil about 4”.  Continue spacing bulbs 6” apart in rows 12” wide, water well.   If planting in the fall push cloves in slightly deeper leaving 2” of soil on top and mulch well to protect from frost heaving.  Each clove you plant will produce a whole bulb of cloves at harvest.

Time to Harvest:

In early to mid-summer the leaves will start to pale, wither and turn brown, once 50% of the crop is showing these signs it is time to harvest.  Gently loosen the soil around the garlic bulbs and tug slightly to remove from the ground.  Gently shake off any dirt clinging to the roots; but never wash with water.  Take care during this process not to bruise your newly harvested crop.

Usage:

Fresh, processed or cooked in your favorite dish; garlic is truly the spice of life.  Pungent and spicy when raw, most varieties mellow to a sweet delicacy when cooked.  To make garlic powder, thinly slice and dry in an oven set at 150 degrees Fahrenheit until crisp then grind to desired texture.  

Helpful Tips:

Best time of the day to harvest is in the morning when the soil is cool and moist.  Fall planted garlic produces bigger, better bulbs.  Save the bulbs with the nicest dried tops to create a garlic braid.   

For best results with all your edible crops, keep their new home in your garden “weed-free”.

After Care: 

Garlic needs several weeks to dry without direct sunlight.  Find a warm, dry place where they can be hung or lie in a single layer with good air circulation for this curing process.  Turn them several times for uniform drying of the outer skins.  Cut the roots to ½” after 7 days, then wait till completely cured to clip the stems or braid.  Properly cured bulbs, in netted bags or braided will keep for many months if stored in a cool dry spot in the kitchen