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Oct 19, 2024

Master Gardener: Autumn is a great time to plant garlic in your garden

Autumn in the garden is generally spent cleaning up from the summer growing season. For those gardeners who enjoy planting more than clean-up, which is most of us, sowing garlic offers the opportunity

Autumn in the garden is generally spent cleaning up from the summer growing season. For those gardeners who enjoy planting more than clean-up, which is most of us, sowing garlic offers the opportunity for an alternative activity.

The recommended time for planting garlic is during the first couple of weeks following the initial hard frost of the fall. For those new to growing garlic, the University of Minnesota Extension offers a wealth of information at https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-garlic and the accompanying “Growing garlic in Minnesota (2023)" publication.

Garlic is a member of the amaryllicaccane family, as are onions and leeks. Garlic has been around for thousands of years. Because of its extensive lineage, it can grow from Central Asia, to California, to Minnesota.

Garlic types fall into either hardneck or softneck varieties. Hardneck varieties do well in colder climates. They have a flower stalk called a scape and are referred to as “bolting” varieties. Their flowers develop bulbils that form very small cloves instead of traditional seeds. Hardneck garlic bulbs have 4-12 cloves that can be stored for three to seven months.

Softneck varieties generally grow in warmer climates, but some new colder climate varieties have been developed. Mature softneck bulbs have 10-40 cloves, which keep for up to six to eight months. Their stems are flexible enough to braid several plants together for storage or display. (See the University of Minnesota Extension site for descriptions of varieties and where to get cloves for planting.)

Select healthy cloves for planting, either purchased from a reliable source or saved from the largest bulbs of this year’s harvested crop. (Please note that cloves from garlic bought at a grocery store are not recommended for planting and may not be a variety that will grow well in Minnesota.) While it is possible to grow garlic from the “seeds” of the bulbils, using cloves is by far the best way to propagate garlic.

The first half of October is the typical time for planting garlic in southern Minnesota, but this timing may vary from year to year depending on when the first hard frost occurs. Planting can be staggered at different times until the ground freezes, to spread out the harvest. The goal is to plant at a time that allows for the roots and shoots to start below the ground, but not sprout above ground. If you miss this planting window, it is possible to “cold treat” the cloves by storing in the refrigerator three to four weeks before planting in the spring.

Select an area that is well-drained, as weed-free as possible, receives 10 hours of sun and has sandy/loamy soil with organic material. Soil pH of 6-7 is desirable, with an acceptable range of 5.5-7.8. Garlic does best in nitrogen-rich soil. Soil testing can play a key role in the success of your garlic crop. (See the University of Minnesota Extension for specific recommendations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace minerals.)

Prepare the cloves for planting by separating them from the bulb one to seven days prior to planting. Take care to not let them dry out. Plant the cloves, pointed end up, 2-4 inches deep, depending on the variety. Place the cloves 6-8 inches apart, with 20-30 inches between rows. Water thoroughly, but don’t let the soil get waterlogged. Apply about 3 inches of mulch to keep weeds at bay and protect the garlic from frigid temperatures. According to the Minnesota Horticultural Society, the extra step of covering the planted area with a wire mesh may help protect the bulbs from being dug up by critters.

Garlic is one of the first plants to sprout in springtime. Scapes (the flowering stalks) of the hardneck varieties should be removed mid-spring to improve garlic yields. Remove the scapes soon after they begin curling; gently clip them off above the top leaves. Scapes cut before flowering may be enjoyed in salads, cooked with vegetables or even made into pesto.

During the growing season, monitor your garlic for pests and diseases. The University of Minnesota Extension provides detailed information on identifying and controlling problems common to garlic.

Harvesting generally begins in late July to early August, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Timing of harvesting can be tricky. Harvest late enough for the bulbs to mature but before the bulbs grow out of their skins.

Watch for lower leaves of the plant to turn brown, with the upper leaves still green. Dig up a few bulbs and cut them in half to check if the cloves fill in the skins, signaling the bulb is mature. Bulbs should be dug out, rather than pulled up, keeping both the roots and stems attached. Brush off clumps of dirt, but it is fine to leave remaining soil on the bulbs during the three to four week curing process. If you decide to wash the bulbs, do it carefully, and watch for diseases such as skin blotch during the curing period.

Store harvested bulbs where they will get good airflow and indirect light. Avoid direct light or complete darkness. Fully cured bulbs will have dry outer skins and moist cloves. Once the bulbs have fully dried, gently clean away any remaining soil, remove the roots and cut the stem to about 1 inch. Remove the loose, outermost skin papers, but do not expose the cloves. Sort through your harvest, keeping the largest cloves for planting and the rest to store over the next three to seven months.

Keep your cured garlic bulbs in a cool, dry place for use in cooking. Now it’s time to enjoy the labors of your harvest, and add extra flavor to your favorite Minnesota fall hotdish!

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