• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
On the green farms

On the green farms

onthegreenfarms.com

  • HYDROPONIC AT HOME
  • GROW ORGANIC
  • FARMER JOURNAL
  • ABOUT US
    • Contact Us
    • Write For Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Disclaimers
    • Affiliate Disclosure

How To Grow Organic Garlic

Last updated: August 7, 2022 by Jenny Brown

How To Grow Organic Garlic?

Grow Organic Garlic

WHEN TO PLANT

  • When you consider growing garlic, the first thing you’ll need to know is that there are two types of garlic; “hard neck” and “soft neck
  • The upside to growing hard neck garlic is that it produces plumper cloves and there are more varieties than soft neck garlic
  • The downside is that growing hard neck garlic is that it does not store as well as soft neck garlic and wants to sprout more quickly
  • Growing soft neck garlic is the ideal choice for long-term storage
  • Soft neck varieties are a little easier to grow but have a cluster of tiny cloves in the center that are tedious to work with
  • We grow both types to get the best of both worlds…flavor and storage quality
  • One other important consideration when planting garlic is your climate; hard neck garlic types root quicker and are therefore easier to grow in northern climates
  • Soft neck types do better in areas with mild winters. Yet, with proper care, both types can grow successfully in either climate

WHERE TO PLANT

  • Garlic will tolerate partial shade but will perform best in full sun

PREPARING THE SOIL

  • When preparing your soil to grow garlic, you’ll want your soil’s pH balance to be in the range of 6.0 – 7.0
  • Garlic grows well in deep, well-drained soil amended with composted manure and plenty of organic matter mixed in before planting

GETTING STARTED INDOORS (and transplanting)

  • Not recommended

PLANTING & GROWING (Planting seeds directly into your garden)

  • From your bulbs, select the large outer cloves for planting. Use the smaller cloves for immediate eating
  • Separate the cloves from the bulb (this is called ‘cracking’) as close to planting time as possible; you don’t want the root nodules to dry out
  • With the root end facing down and points (or tops) pointing up, plant to the depth of 1 to 2” below the surface for soft neck garlic and a minimum of 2” for hard neck garlic
  • Space individual cloves in rows 4″ to 6”apart with one foot between rows. Cover loosely to the recommended soil level
  • Garlic does not like competition with other plants so weeding is imperative for proper bulb development
  • When flower buds appear, snip them off with scissors; the plant will put more energy into bulb growth
  • Garlic does not perform well with repeated freezing and thawing, nor does it like extreme temperatures
  • In colder regions, apply a thick layer of mulch during the winter and reduce the amount in the spring and summer; mulch will protect the bulbs, prevent severe fluctuations in temperature, and help keep moisture levels even in the soil
  • Chopped leaves or alfalfa hay are an excellent mulch for garlic. Using wheat straw is not recommended; it is a host to the wheat curl mite which invades garlic
  • In wet climates, using any form of mulch is not advised; it may cause the ground to hold excess water
  • Jenny’s Tip: We discovered a liquid organic leaf spray fertilizer this year that naturally stimulates plants to convert more nutrients, mostly from the sun and air, into plant sugar. Where we’ve used Organic Garden Miracle™, we’ve noticed better flavor, more robust plants, and up to double the production

WATERING

  • Garlic prefers moist, even, well drained soil throughout the growing season with no additional watering the last few weeks before harvesting
  • Over-watered garlic is prone to mold and will result in bulbs that have don’t store well

COMPANION PLANTING / ROTATION

  • Garlic contains an antibiotic and anti-fungal compound called allicin. When an insect bites into the clove allicin is released which acts as a natural pesticide
  • Garlic is beneficial planted next to lettuce and cabbage, deterring aphids and other common pests
  • Bad companions include beans, peas, and potatoes; garlic tends to stunt their growth
  • Garlic should not follow any onion family crop since they are closely related and prone to the same problems

WHEN TO HARVEST

  • Timing is critical when harvesting garlic
  • Watch for when the bottom two or three leaves of hard neck varieties turn brown and when the tops of soft neck varieties fall over naturally; this is a good first indicator that your garlic is ready for harvest
  • Before pulling up, check to be sure the bulbs are mature. Carefully brush aside the dirt around the sides of the bulb to feel if the bulbs are large and hard
  • Lift bulbs out of the ground before the outer wrappers begin to tear and the skins on the cloves deteriorate; this results in poor storage quality. Harvesting too soon will sacrifice the size of your bulbs
  • It is best to use a shovel to loosen the soil around the garlic bulb; a garden fork is more likely to pierce the bulbs. Once the bulb is loosened, lift the plant out by hand. Gently tap off excess dirt
  • The garlic bulb can become sunburned and lose flavor if exposed to direct sunlight. It is a good idea to cover your bulbs or place them out of the sunlight while you are harvesting

STORAGE

  • The storing process begins with curing your garlic. If cured and stored properly, a garlic bulb will keep 6-8 months
  • Hang your bulbs out of direct light in bunches of 4 to 6. Be sure to allow air circulation to all sides of the bulbs. If an area with good ventilation is not available, use fans
  • Optimum drying time is two weeks at 80°F. You will know your garlic is cured when the skin is dry and the necks are tight
  • Before storing, clean garlic by trimming off the leaves (unless braiding) and roots. Remove just the outer wrappers that are soiled. The outer wrapper is what protects the garlic and helps to maintain freshness so be careful not to expose the cloves
  • Leave 1” of the center stalk on hard neck varieties to make separating the cloves easier. Select only unbruised, cloves and store in a paper or mesh bag. Your garlic will keep in a cool, dark place between 60-65°Ffor several months

COMMON PESTS AND PROBLEMS

  • Most diseases can generally be prevented by avoiding over-watering and excess standing moisture
  • Watering the last few weeks before harvesting will shorten the life of your bulbs

SAVING BULBS

  • For your next garlic crop, save only fully matured, larger bulbs with plump cloves
  • Store your planting bulbs the same way you would your long-term storage garlic. (See Storage)
  • In warmer regions, hard neck garlic must be put through an artificial ‘cold spell’ by storing in a cool, dry location with good air circulation at 45-50°F for approximately 3 weeks before planting to induce sprouting
Organic Insect Repellent Recipes
How To Grow Organic Cucumbers
How to use Peat Moss?
Improve Drainage in potted
How to Make Compost
How To Grow Organic Winter Squash
How To Grow Organic Sage
How To Grow Organic Spinach
How To Grow Organic Potatoes
How To Grow Organic Onions
How To Grow Organic Kale
How To Grow Organic Carrots
How to Grow Organic Celery
How To Grow Organic Beets
How To Grow Organic Asparagus
How To Grow Organic Lettuce
How To Grow Organic Peppers
How To Grow Organic Summer Squash
How To Grow Organic Green Beans
How To Grow Organic Peas
How To Grow Organic Eggplant
How To Grow Organic Cilantro-Coriander
How To Grow Organic Parsley
How To Grow Organic Basil
How To Grow Organic Broccoli
How To Grow Organic Watermelons
How To Grow Organic Cabbage
How To Grow Organic Radishes
How To Grow Organic Raspberries
How To Grow Organic Brussels Sprouts
How To Grow Organic Irises
How To Grow Organic Pumpkins
How To Grow Organic Muskmelons Cantaloupes
How To Grow Organic Sweet Potatoes and Yams
How To Grow Organic Corn
How To Grow Organic Zucchini
How To Grow Organic Rhubarb
How To Grow Organic Tomatoes
How To Grow Organic Blueberries
How To Grow Organic Strawberries

Table of Contents

  • How To Grow Organic Garlic?
    • WHEN TO PLANT
    • WHERE TO PLANT
    • PREPARING THE SOIL
    • GETTING STARTED INDOORS (and transplanting)
    • PLANTING & GROWING (Planting seeds directly into your garden)
    • WATERING
    • COMPANION PLANTING / ROTATION
    • WHEN TO HARVEST
    • STORAGE
    • COMMON PESTS AND PROBLEMS
    • SAVING BULBS

Filed Under: Fruit Vegetable

5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Connect with
Notify of
Please login to comment
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Farm Ville
Farm Ville
1 year ago

this past season i lost about a third of my crop to some
disease. the stem just above ground level seemed to rot away. the top of the bulb turned yellow and mushy. iam concerned as i dont want this to happen again next year. any comments or ideas on what to do???

0
Jenny Brown
Jenny Brown
Author
Reply to  Farm Ville
1 year ago

There are a few things that can cause the cloves to rot.
1) Too much water or poor drainage.
2) Sclerotia: this white rot fungus may spread through a your garden or from field to field by flooding, farm implements, or via other plant material. It thrives in cooler, wetter conditions. Unfortunately, it can last 10 years with no onions or garlic planted in an area.
3) Botrytis: similar to sclerotia, this will typically spread in warmer weather rather than in cool weather.
4) Penicillium molds may also cause the yellow top on the bulb…this spore is wind-borne.
5) Planting too early in the fall.
Prevention
1) Make sure you clean any implements coming from your neighbor you may borrow.
2) Plant later in the fall, after the soil temp has dropped below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
3) Don’t overwater or plant in areas with poor drainage. Both sclerotia and botrytis are encouraged by too much moisture, poor drainage, and poor air circulation (caused by planting your garlic too close together).
4) Dip your garlic cloves in 115 degree water for a few seconds to kill sclerotia. Don’t let the temp reach 120 degrees. This will kill the garlic, which I don’t think is a good solution 🙂
5) Rotate allium crops such as onions and garlic and leeks annually to reduce sclerotia, botrytis, or penicillium molds.
Hopefully you can get a good crop next year and these tips will help you to do that…good luck!

0

onthegreenfarms.com © 2023

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz