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Garlic Growing Guide🧄: Planting, Mulching, and Harvesting for Big Bulbs

Garlic Growing Guide🧄: Planting, Mulching, and Harvesting for Big Bulbs

Introduction

Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops you can grow, offering rich flavor and long storage life. It thrives in SIPs and wicking beds, where bottom-up hydration from GardenWells inserts ensures strong root development and larger bulbs — all without the hassle of constant top-watering.

When to Plant Garlic

  • Fall Planting (Preferred): Plant garlic in October for a July harvest the following year. Visit the October Gardening Guide for bed prep strategies.

  • Spring Planting: In colder regions or late starts, plant March through April; check the March Gardening Guide.

  • Harvest Season: Typically mid-July through August, depending on variety and climate.

Square Foot Gardening Spacing

  • Spacing: 4–6 cloves per sq ft (~4” apart)

  • Depth: Plant cloves 2–3” deep, root side down

  • Companions: Perfect pairing with carrots, beets, and lettuce.

How to Plant Garlic

Choosing Cloves

  • Select large, healthy cloves from organic bulbs for the biggest harvests.

  • Hardneck varieties thrive in colder climates; softneck types suit mild regions.

Planting Steps

  1. Separate bulbs into individual cloves, leaving papery skins intact.

  2. Plant pointy-end up, root-end down into SIPs or wicking beds.

  3. Mulch deeply to insulate cloves and regulate soil moisture.

Watering Your Garlic

Garlic requires even hydration during early growth, then drier conditions at maturity:

  • Use your WaterStem: when the Hummingbird rises, reservoirs are full; when it drops, refill.

  • Before establishment: Top-water lightly for the first 7–10 days.

  • After establishment: Refill SIP reservoirs every 2–3 weeks during spring growth.

  • Stop watering 2–3 weeks before harvest to allow bulbs to cure naturally.

Harvesting Garlic

  • Timing: Harvest when half the leaves turn brown, typically July–August.

  • Method: Loosen soil gently and pull bulbs by the stem.

  • Curing: Hang bulbs in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space for 2–3 weeks before trimming tops and roots.

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Likely Cause Solution
Small Bulbs Poor spacing or low nutrients Plant larger cloves, amend SIP soil with compost
Rotting Bulbs Overwatering Use SIPs or wicking beds for balanced hydration and mulch sparingly
Rust / Fungal Spots Humidity stress Space cloves properly and improve airflow

Companion Plants for Garlic

Best companions (with cross-links):

  • Carrots → Garlic repels carrot flies naturally.

  • Beets → Compatible water and nutrient needs.

  • Lettuce → Stays low while garlic grows up.

  • Spinach → Pairs well in spring setups.

  • Tomatoes → Garlic helps deter spider mites and aphids.

Avoid planting with:

  • Peas and beans → Garlic can stunt legume growth.

  • Other alliums like onions and leeks — shared pests make separation ideal.

Product Tips

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