Garlic is a member of the genus allium, making it a relative of leeks, onions and shallots.  It is one of the oldest cultivated crops, and it makes everything taste better!

When to Plant

This naturally depends on your location.  In Seattle garlic is typically planted October through November, and then again in late February and March (softnecks).

Soil Preparation

Garlic needs fertile soil with lots of organic matter so the soil remains uncompacted through the long growing season. Growers with clay soils should add a lot of compost before planting, or grow and till in green manures prior to planting.

How to Plant

Plant individual garlic cloves 2″ deep, with 5-8″ between them in rows 8-10″ apart,  with the pointed end up.  It will do best in fertile well-drained soil, with 2″ of straw mulch over it to keep the soil warm.

In the Spring when the soil warms, remove the mulch and side dress with a balanced fertilizer (we recommend our Rainy Pacific NW Blend or our Organic Garden Blend).

Garlic shouldn’t need watering unless it is unusually dry. If you are watering, discontinue this a month before harvesting.

Harvesting

Usually in Seattle you will harvest your garlic from late June through July.  Harvest your garlic when the lowest two sets of leaves are brown and dry.

If you are growing hardnecks, cut the scapes 3ish weeks before harvest, this can increase your bulb size by 25%

Storage

If you want to keep your homegrown garlic for a while, you need to dry it first.

After harvesting, clean the bulb and roots, let the garlic dry in a shady, well-ventilated, moisture-free area for a week or more.

Flavor is developed in the drying process, so don’t rush it! Once dry, trim or break off the roots and rub off the outer layer of parchment.

Once dry garlic stores best at room temperature in a dry, dark place that has ample air flow. Try keeping it in a mesh basket in the cupboard, or in a paper or mesh bag. Egg cartons work well too!

Hardneck vs. Softneck

Hardneck Garlic

• hardnecks have scapes, a central hard stem with bubils at the top
• varieties tend to have a spicier more complex flavor
• larger average clove sizes and less skin which makes them easier to peel
• unfortunately easy peeling also means a shorter shelf life, typically 4-6 months
• average 4-12 cloves/bulb
• hardnecks do best planted in the fall

Softneck Garlic

• tend to be milder
• irregularly shaped with tight skin the cloves are more difficult to peel
• under optimal conditions softnecks can be stored for up to a year
• average 8-20 cloves/bulb
• most garlic found in the supermarket falls into the softneck category
• softnecks can be planted in the spring